On January 27th, Grand Center students were able to experience the power of performance poetry first hand when UrbArts came to visit the school.

The performance began with an introduction into how a typical poetry slam is conducted and the participation level of the audience, as well as the respect that they must show to the poet as they are performing.

As the performances commenced, a look of amazement spread across the faces of students. Whether it was poet FreeMan’s Worth reciting a thought provoking poem about injustice or Poetic Slang’s easily relatable poem about the pressures of life. The students were very involved in the performance by giving “snaps” and yelling “spit poet spit.”

“These poems are based on a true story, something important and precious that occurred in our lives,” said Chris Ware. “That’s what makes our poems not only unique, but genuine as well.”

After the performances, students were able to ask questions, such as where poets got their inspiration. Even science teacher, Frederick Warren, got involved, asking the poets how many writing revisions they typically performed. Students laughed as they accused Warren of “throwing shade,” but listened attentively as the poets answers ranged from days to months to years.

Many students were very enthusiastic about the poets and the performances that they delivered.“I’m really glad we got a chance to see this, I mean their poems were really powerful and it was amazing to see what they were doing in action” said 11th grader Carrington Barnes.

The assembly kicked off a poetry slam group that will meet during Learning Lab on Tuesdays, with a troupe member, Poetic Slang, overseeing the group. February third marked the club’s first meeting. Cindy Kalachek is the sponsor for the club and had this to say about it.“We are a community of artists. Until now we haven’t really had any programs in place to express our feelings through our words. Another great thing is that it’s open to anyone.”

In the first meeting, students gave topic suggestions for a short writing session. Club members suggested topics from shoes and ice cream, to black on black violence, and indifference. At the end of their writing time, students had the the option of performing what they wrote to the rest of the club.

Freshmen, Quinlan Holt performed a piece that she had written in that meeting dealing with the pressure and dilemmas that people who suffer from anxiety may experience. Junior, Devin Evans performed a piece where he comically discussed the issues with teachers and how controlling they are in their classrooms.

Cindy Kalachek is the teacher who oversees the group, she gives help to the students, as well as feedback. “Whenever someone speaks they begin really shy, apologizing in the beginning, but when they begin the student gains confidence, their voice gets louder, you see the transformation. Every kid who gets up there shows a level of confidence. I’m glad that we have this group.”