The 12th annual Voice2Youth Poetry Slam hosted students Saturday from under-resourced schools to perform their original poetry based on the topics of news, weather and sports.
Educators and volunteers filled Moudy North with the goal of “building confidence, literacy and leaders” for the elementary through high school students who participated in the event.
Students presented poems about President Trump, fake news, the border wall, depression and suicide among other topics.
“They’re so young but they have a lot to say,” said Carolyn West, the founder of Thank You Darlin’. “And we need to listen.”
Strategic communication professor Broxon Sears’ capstone class partnered with the Thank You Darlin’ Foundation to help organize and run the event, as well as assist with public relations and advertising for the poetry slam.
This year’s poetry slam was the first one to be held at TCU.
The event gives students the chance to be confident in their education and serves as an outlet to do something they’re passionate about, Lindy Lamme, a strategic communication student, said,
“It gives them a way to show their voice,” said student and public relations manager for the poetry slam, Melanie Webb.
(Photo courtesy Thank You Darlin’ Foundation)
West founded Thank You Darlin’ after her mother passed away, hoping to impact lives as her mother did.
The effectiveness of the poetry slam can be seen in the success of the students who participate, West said.
Brandon Sanders, a senior at Marine Creek Collegiate High School in Fort Worth, said he has been participating in the poetry slam since he was in third grade. During Saturday’s event, he was the only student to receive a perfect score for the solo performance of his original poem.
The event helps students to not only express
This idea proves true for Sanders, who will be attending the University of Houston in the fall.
