FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4/23/19
CONTACT:
Alison Courchesne
FHS Librarian
(508) 620-4963 x 27588
acourchesne@framingham.k12.ma.us
Will Cook
FHS English Department Head
(508) 620-4963 x 27700
ccook@framingham.k12.ma.us
Framingham High School Seniors Will Battle It Out At The 16th Annual Poetry Slam
Framingham, MA – April 23, 2019 - On Thursday, April 25th at 7:30pm, Framingham High School will hold the final round of its 16th annual senior class poetry slam. A “slam” is a competition between teams of poets who perform their own original work, bringing poetry off the page and onto the stage in a gloves-off, no-holds-barred verbal boxing match with judges chosen randomly from the audience. This FHS slam began as a class project in 2004, and has since turned into a school-wide, and community-wide event.
“When I began teaching poetry slam to my students in senior English classes 16 years ago, I never imagined that it would grow to become an FHS tradition. Now, the senior poetry slam feels like a rite of passage to the students and teachers of FHS,” said Framingham High School Librarian, Alison Courchesne. “The underclassmen watch the graduating seniors up on stage, and they often say, 'I would never have the guts to do that,' but by the time they are the seniors, the students really rise to the occasion and seize that opportunity to speak their truth. I'm proud that our community really values our students' voices.”
Preliminary and semi-final rounds, consisting of 350 members of the class of 2019, were held at FHS from April 8th - 11th to determine which teams would move on to the finals. The top three teams at the final round on April 25th will take home cash prizes and, more importantly, bragging rights. The 16th Annual Poetry Slam is open to the public and will be held at Amazing Things Arts Center, 160 Hollis St, Framingham, MA 01702. Event details can be found on Eventbrite. For anyone that cannot attend in-person, the event will be broadcasted live through the Framingham Education Channel TV (FEC-TV) Facebook Page.
This event is generously sponsored by the FHS Foundation and the FHS PTBO. Admission is $5 per person, or free with a Framingham High School ID.
Class of 2019 Poetry Slam Finalists
O Hot Slam
Jenna Saade
Ari Weiner
BK Amini
PJ Conzo
The Voluptuous Rubber Duck Squad
Nate Jacobs
Jennifer Milgram
Jacqueline Manolian
Maddie Sherman
From G to A
Rosita Ramirez
Oralia Ortiz
Kimberly Lopez
Eric the Hero
Libby Morningstar
Amelia Burton
Jenna Riedl
Mary Bogue
Cheese Sandwich
Nick Amico
Ronin Wong
Jonathan Riley
Poetrio
Jake Sofro
Lizzy Arena
Jack Seta
Slam Ma
Caitlyn Luria
Katie McQuail
Ryanna Coelho
Michelle Moran
Also, at the finals on 4/25, we'll have a special guest performance by FHS's “sacrificial poets” Eliza Menzel and Jessie Landes.
About Framingham High School
Framingham High School (FHS) provides students with a comprehensive, challenging, and diverse learning environment which enables students to become successful members of the global community. Framingham High School focuses on several core values, encouraging students to RISE UP: Respond Thoughtfully and Collaboratively; Improve the School & Community; Skillfully Communicate; Effectively Articulate Thinking; Utilize Resources Strategically; and Persevere in Facing Challenges. For news, updates, and announcements, follow Framingham High School (@FraminghamHighSchool) on Facebook and (@FHSFlyers) on Twitter.
About Framingham Public Schools
The mission of the Framingham Public Schools is to educate each student to learn and live productively as a critically-thinking, responsible citizen in a multicultural, democratic society by providing academically challenging instructional programs taught by highly-qualified staff and supported by comprehensive services in partnership with our entire community. For news, updates, and announcements, follow Framingham Public Schools (@FraminghamPS) on Facebook, Twitter, and (@framinghamschools) on Instagram. You can also join the conversation using #FraminghamSchools.
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