By Maggie Blackwell
mblackwell@salisburypost.com
Lights were low and a live jazz group played softly in the corner of the room. Young people sat in twos and threes at candlelit tables, eating hors d’oeuvre and talking quietly. This was not the typical high school media center.
East Rowan High School held its first-ever poetry slam last Wednesday. The poetry slam blended music, writing and the media center into a cafe atmosphere, making it a “cross-curricular” event, a highly promoted trend in education today.
The East Rowan Jazz Band played selections such as “Pink Panther” and “I Get a Kick Out of You.” Vocalist Molly Trexler sang “At Last.” Narrator Zach Lambe advised students of three rules: Snap, don’t clap; be kind; and be cool.
Students complied. They showed their appreciation for performances by snapping their fingers, a throwback to the beatnik days of the 1950s.
Kimberly Goodall was nervous as she waited to take the microphone with her poem, “Broken.” Goodall said she writes poetry every day, but reading in front of others was a new challenge.
Kayli Frizzell recited her poem about a friend who is now gone. She was excited for the opportunity.
Not all the poets were girls. James Robinson wrote and recited “Dear Mama,” a poem about his mother.
“I had a lot of problems since I was a kid. This was my opportunity to share,” Robinson said. He surprised Lancaster, who said Robinson is a wonderful student.
Media Center Specialist Kim Shuping and assistant Joan Jones conceived the idea when they realized that April was National Jazz Month and also National Poetry Month. National Library Week also falls in April. Jones had heard of a similar event held at Salisbury High School last year.
English co-teachers Jenny Jarem and Shannon Lancaster worked with the students ahead of time, allowing them to volunteer to read their work at the event.
“Those who volunteered were not the ones I expected,” Lancaster said. “Some of our tough young men showed a sensitive side, an emotional side I had not seen.” A 10-year teacher, Lancaster is new to East.
“I’m so glad the librarians chose a general class,” Jarem said. “Sometimes the general students don’t get much recognition.”
Shuping and Jones felt their hard work was well worth the effort. “They really shone today,” Shuping said.