Ed White Middle School hosted its first Soaring Voices Open Mic Night on Friday, Dec. 14. This event grew out of student interest for spoken word poetry. English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) teacher Sonya Eddy and Instructional Coach Autumn Carter were instrumental in encouraging students to explore spoken word poetry. This year, ELAR teachers established Poetry Friday to explore, analyze and write various types of poetry. Students also had the chance to attend a writing workshop with renowned poet Sarah Kay.
The two-hour Soaring Voices event featured students and teachers. Many poets performed original pieces, and in the true fashion of open mic, students in the audience signed up. The event was a small, intimate experience organized by students from Unity Club with the support of the ELAR department.
“I was so moved by the depth of the poems,” said Autumn Carter, ELAR Instructional Coach. “Reanna’s poem dedicated to her mother and a poem in the likeness of Langston Hughes. Summer is a naturally gifted writer, Jazmin wrote a tribute to her aunt, and the teachers and Principal Bethany Lorge, who in the spirit of our Read to Lead initiative, performed alongside our kids.”
Ed White is planning another poetry slam event in the spring that will include Roosevelt High School and Design and Technology Academy (DATA) students.
Posted on 12-19-18
