Special feature: An unforgettable CATS poetry slam experience

Poetry is a timeless art and speak volumes in just a few verses.

Students had the opportunity to express themselves in the CATS poetry slam, which took place on March 21 at the Diego Rivera library.

The CATS slam, which comes from the “Get Lit” curriculum, showcased our school community’s diverse voices and talents.

Below, senior students shared what they enjoyed about the CATS slam hosted by English teacher Mr. Benny Martinez and the difficulties they overcame. Some students also provided the poems they wrote.

Photos by Daniel Z.

Students Responses

Senior, Stephanie M. said, “I wanted to participate because my teacher, Mr. Benny, said that I am kind of good at writing, and it was when I wanted to express myself and show the poetry that I had done before.”

“I was trying to remember my lines and I couldn’t, but I was nervous for a whole week, once I was up there I was shaking.”

“I enjoyed having the experience like showing my poetry and working together to be supportive and compliment each other, I think just by being part of it was what I enjoyed.”

Senior, Osvaldo A. said, “I was nervous the entire time but seeing everyone there hearing my poem and what I liked about it was that they put reviews in my poems, and seeing my friends there gave me motivation.”

Senior, Martin M. said,“ It was an opportunity to present how I like to express myself using words in the poem, and it’s a way for artists to understand what I am thinking or what I have in mind.”

“Going in front of everyone and freezing and forgetting my poem, it was hard because I had to memorize about 25–30 lines that I wrote down.”

“I enjoyed that It was a practice to me going in front of people and presenting to them and speaking in general, so I can get more comfortable the more I might have to do it in the future.”

Senior, Mia M. said, “I was nervous about the big crowd, and I’m not used to it being in front of a big audience, but I enjoyed expressing my feelings in the poem and also being around my friends.”

Senior Horlando A. said,“ Since I am not used to expressing my feelings, I had difficulties trying to express my poem.”

“When we went there, there were free hot cocos, and I drank like 4 cups.”

According to Horlando, out of all things, those cups of hot chocolates were the best things from the CATS slam.