Jan. 12, 2024
By Dana Treier
Webmaster
Have you ever looked for an outlet to express your feelings in a welcoming community? Or have you simply wanted to present your writing to others?
Sophomore Nikalena Iacono said her affirmative responses to these questions led her to participate in the 14th Annual Winter Poetry Slam, which took place in the media center on Dec. 22.
Iacono, who is an editor of The Lighthouse, earned first place at the event for her poem titled “A Regular Procedure.” In the poem, she explained that her father’s seemingly routine medical procedure led to a life-altering stage 3 cancer diagnosis.
Iacono said even though her poem is about a serious topic, she wanted to deliver an uplifting message.
“Everyone is going to face challenges and hardships, but it’s going to be okay,” Iacono said. “Although it may not seem like it, eventually things will work out for the better.”
Iacono said her poem addresses concerns she had never before discussed.
“It was personal, and I really expressed how I have been feeling…. I also wanted listeners to take away that other people may be experiencing the same thing, so you are not alone, and it is better to share your feelings rather than keep them inside,” Iacono said.
Iacono said she felt apprehensive while reading her poem, but her confidence soared after she placed first among 39 participating poets.
“I was really nervous I was going to be too upset. I was a little emotional when reading, but I tried to keep it together,” Iacono said. “I am not the best at poetry, and I don’t write often, so I was really proud of myself for winning.”
Iacono, who also participated in last year’s Winter Poetry Slam, said she intends to read her poetry at future slams.
“It’s a great way to share your poems but also listen to other really good poems,” Iacono said. “Everyone is so talented, and I really enjoyed listening to all of them.”
Senior Ava Bruzzio, who has participated in LHS’ poetry slams since her freshman year, earned second place for her poem “Petty Nothings” about the trivial issues teenagers face in high school.
“It was just a fun, relatable poem, and it felt that way as I was reading it,” Bruzzio said. “It embraces these stupid conflicts as they’re just a part of life. Not everyone will like you, and not everyone will want to put up with you.”
Bruzzio said she enjoyed the environment at the poetry slam.
“Everyone is going to face challenges and hardships, but it’s going to be okay.”
“Everyone was so supportive of each other, and I got to learn so much about everyone else through their writing,” Bruzzio said.
Bruzzio said she encourages other students to participate in LHS’ poetry slams, which take place twice a year. She said her advice to future participants is not to be deterred by the competitive aspect of the poetry slam.
“Your poetry is not measured by whether you place or not. The slam is a friendly event celebrating the art of poetry,” Bruzzio said.
Junior Jason Oliveira, who earned an honorable mention award at last year’s Winter Poetry Slam and is on The Lighthouse staff, took home third place for his poem “The Garden State.”
“I figured I would write about something I know really well: New Jersey,” Oliveira said. “This is one of my special poems where I leave the interpretation up to the listeners. They can understand and feel how I view New Jersey but also take it into their own experiences because New Jersey is a home to many people.”
Oliveira said he decided to read his poem at the slam because the event provides an outlet for his creativity and he enjoys hearing other students read their poetry.
“Everyone’s poem was lovely. This slam was definitely bigger than the others, and I think this year we had more funny and relatable poems while still having a few sad ones,” Oliveira said.
In addition to the top three winners, the four judges–English teachers Ms. Burns, Ms. Cappiello and Mrs. Falco as well as business and technology teacher Mrs. Jankowski–recognized sophomores Evangelise Amaya, Isabella Bartlett, Kory Jones and Angel Rivera and freshman Lila Pearce-Jaryno with honorable mention awards.
Falco, who has been a judge at every Winter Poetry Slam since the first one in 2010, said she enjoys attending these events because she likes listening to students express themselves.
“This is not only a therapeutic experience for them, but it also gives us as teachers a fresh perspective on what students are facing in their current lives,” Falco said.
She said participating in a poetry slam can be a cathartic and impactful experience.
“A line of poetry has the potential to heal not only the person writing it but also any other person who can relate to it,” Falco said. “All students are commended for their genuine and forthright bravery as they share their poetry and performances in this safe space.”
