Worrd Up Poetry Slam Returns to SALCC

The Sir Arthur Lewis Community College showcased the literary talent of its students in a poetry slam dubbed “Worrd Up”.

The poetry competition which saw 16 students participate, was held in two rounds – on Friday November 26, and Friday December 3, 2021.

 “Worrd Up” was organized by The Hunter J. Francois Library as part of its mandate to promote literacy and empower youth to use their voices.

The Digital Humanities, New Media and Creative Industries department collaborated with the Library to train and prepare 16 students across various units at the College to compete in the preliminary rounds of the slam. Members of Headphunk also contributed their time and expertise in coaching the student poets.

The eight outstanding poets emerging from the competition will perform at the 2022 Nobel Laureate Festival.

Slam Poetry has gained much popularity in schools and libraries worldwide and Hunter J François Library has indeed embraced this trend with the creation of its own Poetry Slam. WORRD UP, like most Poetry Slams helps students to improve their understanding of the English Language; brings poetry to life and offers students a new way of looking at the literary art form; it also gives students a chance to play with the literary devices they have been taught; exposes students to new poetic forms and writers within their library collections; and can transform shy and insecure students into confident and passionate artists.

Some outstanding winners from previous slams which began in 2011 include Media Personality, Flora Jessy Leonce (2012 winner), and Adrian Klien (2013 winner) – who placed second in the National Word Alive Performance Poetry Competition.

The Committee chaired by Librarian, Mrs. Kathy Birch McDiarmed includes Dr. Jany Joseph – Program Head of Digital Humanities, New Media and Creative Industries; Ms. Kentillia Louis – Coordinator of Creative and Performing Arts and Creative Industries and Events Management AD programme; Ms Avril Gabriel – Library Assistant of Reference & InformationServices and Mrs. Sarai Francis-Swanson – Creative Artiste based in the United Kingdom.