Vivian Lister writes:
For this, Lawnswood school's fifth slam, students took the 2012 Litfest theme Lingo in order to
explore what writing and performing their own words meant to them.
And, as always from these brilliant young people, there was a breathtaking
range of responses, from
intensely personal and
poignant confessions of youthful sorrows to agitprop political calls for change
and justice. Along the way, there
were cool musings about the clarity of thought that writing can bring and the
recognition of writing as a balm for personal confusion and sorrow. There was
also quirky humour and sheer delight in verbal play plus strong, powerful music,
sung and played with great style and fervour.
After this altogether impressive display of talent, the three judges,
Richard Wilcocks from Headingley Litfest, Raftery the Poet and sixth former Toni Busby (star of last year’s
Slam) had the almost impossible task of selecting three winners.
They gave the award for greatest personal achievement to Kane Francis for his poem celebrating the
lives and achievements of strong black women like Rosa Parks.
The award for best overall performance was given to Imogen Chillington whom the
judges praised for her versatility - her ‘cornucopia of talents' according to Raftery
the Poet.
The best poem
award was given for More than just a story - Uganda by
Kizzy Jones, described by the judges as ‘a powerful, sophisticated and engaged
work’. The poem is a reaction to video footage on the warlord Kony.
The judges also gave special mention to Ingi Hughes, praising her
beautiful lyrics and melodic voice and guitar, and to Fatima el Jack for the
passion and powerful rhythmic intensity of her poem, Motherland.
Amanda Stevenson, the Head of English, emphasised how by taking part in
the slam, each student was indeed a winner. She highlighted the importance of
the personal journey for each slammer and how each had gained self awareness
and self esteem during the weeks of workshops and rehearsal. She congratulated
the slammers not only for their sustained effort and enthusiasm but on their
constant support and encouragement of each other. It was certainly
inspiring to see these young people from such a range of ages and backgrounds expressing
full hearted delight for each performer. And it was not only the performers who
impressed but the posses of friends who turned out to cheer, stomp and clap.
Parents also clapped, whooped and stomped along with their children and
variously found the slam "uplifting!", "inspirational!" and "fantastic- it gave me
as a parent a pride in the school!"
Perhaps the last word about this Slam should go to Michelle
Scally-Clarke, our brilliant slam facilitator: "What we’ve given
these young people is poetry and that is now theirs for the rest of their lives".
The
Slammers – Winners all
All these young people
attended the slam workshops and/or performed at the slam. Jervai Buchanan; Toni
Busby; Nathan Chadwick; Imogen Chillington; Fatima El-Jack; Kane Francis; Keiran
Gateley; Kacey Ann Hibbert; Ingi Hughes; Kizzy Jones; Jasmine Joseph; Josie
Lee; Harry Loulie; Alpha Masiyiwa; Eva Moran; Joel O’Mara; Michael Quean; Gloria
Sibanda; Vimbai Sibanda; Jordan Stanislavski; Inigo Webber;
Jasmine Williams; Keiran
Andor Wilson; The Year 9 Class Band
Kane, Imogen and Kizzy, with Michelle Scally Clark:
Photo by Richard Wilcocks
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