April 15, 2024
By Dana Treier
Webmaster
Forty-one student poets ushered in spring break by presenting their original works at the 22nd Annual Spring Poetry Slam, which took place in the media center on March 28.
After earning first place at the 2022 Winter Poetry Slam, senior Michelle Boinett once again earned the honor of winning this poetry slam.
Boinett, who approached the podium carrying a potted orchid and artificial daisies, presented a whimsical poem titled “Flower Fairies,” which is about her childhood notion that everyone was created to assist her in life.
“I wanted to make the poem personal,” Boinett said. “I had a crazy theory about life that I eventually grew out of, and I wanted to tell people about it. I also wanted to encourage people to rock their worlds and make every single moment of their lives meaningful.”
Boinett said she was thrilled that her final poetry slam as an LHS student was successful.
“I wanted to leave my mark, and I did leave a mark by winning first place,” Boinett said.
Boinett said her participation in LHS’ poetry group, which meets most Wednesdays in the media center, equipped her with skills to perform her poetry to the fullest.
“[At the poetry group meetings], we watch a lot of videos and write poems, which… sharpens our skills,” Boinett said.
While Boinett pursues her interest in poetry through her membership in LHS’ poetry group, freshman Isabella Fata said she wrote her second place award-winning poem titled “Home feels like a house” as an assignment in Mrs. Ruiz’s creative writing class.
“We were supposed to pick six words and write a poem with them,” Fata said. “I picked six words and just started writing and playing around with words, not knowing what the poem was going to turn into. I wanted listeners to be able to relate to my poem and understand my feelings.”
Fata, whose poem is about her parents’ divorce, said she appreciated the inviting atmosphere of the semi-annual poetry slam.
“If I could describe the poetry slam in one word, it would be ‘accepting’ because of how open and how judgment-free it is,” Fata said.
She said LHS’ poetry slams give students the freedom to express themselves.
“I was nervous sharing a personal poem, but after the first stanza, I felt confident,” Fata said. “I can’t wait to participate in future poetry slams because I love being able to read my poems out loud.”
“The slams are such a great way for me to connect with and get to know my peers better while also doing something that I love.”
Sophomore Isabella Bartlett, who earned third place at this year’s Spring Poetry Slam and an honorable mention award at the 2023 Winter Poetry Slam, also said she enjoyed the environment of the poetry slam.
“The slams are such a great way for me to connect with and get to know my peers better while also doing something that I love,” Bartlett said. “It’s things like these poetry slams that force you to put yourself out there and build not only your writing skills but your confidence as well.”
Bartlett said in her poem titled “Willows, Blossoms, and Pears,” she set out to explain the relationship between love and sadness.
“Love and sadness go in tandem, and you can’t feel sadness without feeling love beforehand,” Bartlett said. “I want listeners of my poem to understand that there are good and bad parts to life. Both parts are important, and you can’t have one without the other.”
Bartlett said she was captivated by her peers’ poetry.
“There were so many great poets with great presentations, and there were so many memorable poems that I have not stopped thinking about,” Bartlett said.
In addition to the top three awards, the judging panel, which consisted of four educators, recognized senior Lily Anderson, sophomore Zahara Chowdhury, sophomore Adriana Dominguez-Toxtli, senior Keso Mumladze and freshman Lila Pearce-Jaryno with honorable mention awards.
First-time judge Mr. Ricciardi, who is a social studies teacher, said the judges selected the winners based on how they performed their poems.
“What we mainly looked for was the slam effect and that everybody really put their heart and soul into their poems,” Ricciardi said. “Anyone can get up and read a poem, but are you slamming it? It’s about the tone that sets you apart from the person who went before you.”
Ricciardi said it was difficult to select the winning poems because of the high quality of writing and serious themes.
“Students touched on some topics that are difficult to speak about,” Ricciardi said. “I want to commend them for putting their feelings into words and going up and sharing their own experiences.”
