2011 Poetry Slam big success

NOLS Poetry Slam winners left to right: Danielle Grimes, Jeffrey Mordecai-Smith, Makala Curry, Laura Rooney, Sharona Klahn, Mesa Maddux and Faith Junker

Over 45 sixth through ninth grade poets regaled an audience of 170 with their poems of love, self-reflection, humor, and gravity at the Port Angeles Library’s first-ever poetry slam for young people on Thursday, April 21.  Seventh grade poet Ashlyn Thayer, the author of Alzheimer’s From the Inside won an iPod Nano as the grand prize winner.  Thayer’s powerful poem takes the viewpoint of a person with Alzheimer’s.   Poets throughout the evening talked about everything from ninja penguins, to bacon, to, more serious topics like cutting, suicide, and abuse.  

Michael Mills, editor of Tidepools Magazine, April Bellerud of Odyssey Books, Larry Welch of the Port Angeles Friends of the Library, and Alan Simon Turner of Port Book and News judged the contest.  “I am impressed with the participation and the bravery of everyone involved” commented April Bellerud.  Original poems were judged on topic development, elements of poetry, language conventions, complexity, and overall impact.  Poems entered into the recitation category were judged on accuracy, fluency, expression, complexity and overall impact.  

Youth Services Librarian Jennifer Knight (r) congratulates Grand Prize Winner Ashlyn Thayer

First prize winners won an iPod Shuffle, second prize winners won a $20 gift certificate to Port Book and News, and third prize winners won a $15 gift certificate to Odyssey Books.  

Grand Prize

Ashlyn Thayer, Alzheimer’s From the Inside

Recitation

First Place:  Alanna Brown, We Alone by Alice Walker

Second Place:  Faith Junker, Songs of Innocence by William Blake

Third Place:  Danielle Grimes, Nothing Gold by Robert Frost

Original

First Place:  Jeffrey Mordecai-Smith, Somber

Second Place:  Mesa Maddux, A Pet Is Never Lost

Third Place:  Madison Kuss, Untitled  

Performance Category (no order)

Sharona Klahn, Laura Rooney, Makala Curry, Bacon Balm

Marin Williamson, Snyder’s Cinnabombs

The Poetry Slam, part of the North Olympic Library System’s ongoing series of programs and events for youth, was made possible with generous support from the Port Angeles Friends of the Library in honor of National Poetry Month.