Poetry event wraps up 11 days of competitions
A packed Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center was alive with creative energy as young poets recently took the stage for the Louder than a Bomb Florida team finals.
The Davie event, hosted by the Jason Taylor Foundation and the Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network, wrapped up 11 days highlighting the art of spoken word. Students put their skills to the test in such venues as Cinema Paradiso, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the Miramar Cultural Center and the Sunrise Civic Center.
“The point is not the points; the point is the poetry,” said Seth Levit, the foundation’s executive director. “Even though it’s a competition, we try to de-emphasize the competition and say it’s about sharing your stories, listening to others you wouldn’t normally be in contact with. It’s about doing something positive with whatever you are feeling and validating what you are doing as an individual.”
After five rounds of battles, Miramar High defeated Boca Raton Community High, Miami Norland Senior High and Fort Pierce Central High to win the team finals. A bus brought more than 80 supporters of Miramar High’s efforts.
“The team and everyone here is my family,” said senior Desiray “Desire” Baptiste. “… I want to be an entertainer when I get older, so I’m going to have to get used to being on stage. Whether it’s a singer, radio personality or anything, I’m going to have people watching me. I can’t be scared. So my nervousness is dwindling through these experiences.”
Judges for this grand finale included State Rep. Bobby DuBose, Miami Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes and Tracy Martin, father of Trayvon Martin. Earlier in the festival, Florida Atlantic University’s Sherrika Mitchell won the College Slam and Zoharian “Zo” Williams won the individual finals.
Among the competitors was Amorette Lormil, a senior at Dillard High School.
“People are actually listening to me and willing to listen to me,” she said. “It was really dope to listen to the other poets and expand your family in the poetry world. I definitely want to continue into the college and adult realm.”
Another was Northeast High School student Peter Lange, who is active in the spoken word community.
“It’s been amazing,” he said. “Those three minutes on stage, you get to know people. We can just go on stage and spit poetry. … Giving your passion to the crowd, that is what I try to do when I go out there.”
For more information, Bluapplepoetry.org.
visit Scott Fishman can be reached at smfishman@tribune.com.