Chicago Representatives Chosen for National Poetry Slam

Each spring, America SCORES celebrates the achievements of our students with a National Poetry SLAM! Two poets from each of the 15 city locations are selected from over 5,000 America SCORES students to travel to New York. In front of an audience of hundreds, America SCORES poets perform original poetry from the stage of Harlem’s World Famous Apollo Theater – an unforgettable milestone in our children’s lives. A monumental achievement, our students leave New York understanding the true power of their voice.

On the back of our hugely successful Red Carpet Poetry Slam, America SCORES Chicago has selected two poet-athletes to represent the Windy City in New York on April 16th.

Words

As sweet as hot chocolate

I will smell you

I will taste you

Words

Soft as a bunny helping me relax

like a day at the spa

Words

Hot as lava consuming my body in flames

Words

Light as a piece of paper floating and landing

Where they choose

Words

Tart like acid slicing through my emotions

Exposing sadness that’s hidden

Words of praise from my mom

You are bright as the sun

Words

You are the most magnificent thing in the world

Future academic and current 5th grade poet-athlete at Castellanos School, Andres’s favorite super hero is the Hulk and he enjoys playing soccer with his friends and practicing the guitar in his free time. He likes writing poetry because he gets to express himself.

Brainstorm

There is a storm in my brain

I hear thunder roaring and bursting

Words are falling like little rain drops

Wind is blowing

Words are flying all around me

A tornado of ideas spins,

destroying everything in its path

Lightning strikes electrifying madness!

It feels like the storm is never going to end

Is this a brainstorm?

Future artist and current 5th grade poet-athlete at Pilsen Academy, Tiana enjoys playing soccer in the sun and writing poetry to get her feelings out. She would like to thank Coach Stacy to helping develop her confidence.

Both Tiana and Andres embody our core values of commitment, leadership and teamwork and of course, have an abundance of talent. Now, they will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of a national audience in the same theater that launched the careers of artists such as Billie Holiday, Marvin Gaye, James Brown and The Jackson 5.

America SCORES 6th Annual National Poetry SLAM! will be held at Harlem’s World Famous Apollo Theater in New York City on April 16, 2012 – hope to see you there!