Students gathered together for a “throw down of words” at Francis Marion University’s (FMU) Performing Arts Center (PAC) on Jan. 21.
As part of Snow Island Review’s (SIR) annual program, students of all majors and classifications were invited to join faculty at the PAC for the poetry slam.
Dr. Jon Tuttle, professor of English and coordinator of international studies, was a key coordinator of the poetry slam.
“I love when students have the courage to express their voice,” Tuttle said. “I am always impressed with the level of talent that is displayed.”
The slam was set up in an elimination format with students competing in three different rounds. Five students came prepared with some of their original poems to compete for a chance to win prizes courtesy of SIR.
Contestants began by taking turns reading one original poem. After all contestants had read, a panel of student judges would vote for the top three performances. The highest scorer automatically advanced to the final round while the second and third place scorers went head-to-head in another poetry battle to see who would qualify for the finals.
Once in the finals, the two remaining contestants would read one more original poem to be scored.
Brooke Mogy, junior mass communication and theater major, faced the competition and came out as this year’s poetry slam winner.
Her poems “Milkshake Swing Set” and “The Lost and Profound” were crowd favorites. Reciting both poems from memory, she put on a performance that won over the judges.
“It’s so important when you have the opportunity to share your ideas to do it,” Mogy said. “We live in a world where there is a lot thrown at us, and these places [poetry slams] are a good spot to express some good, wonderful ideas without judgment.”
Deron Wilson, senior education major, competed again in hopes of winning his third consecutive title.
“Going up there and reading your own words is the best way to express yourself,” Wilson said.
Wilson said he would encourage everyone to participate in next year’s poetry slam by reading, watching or judging.
“Some people are scared to perform, but just try it,” Wilson said.
Lucas Berry, senior English major and editor of SIR, also worked toward making the poetry slam a success.
“This event gets you expressing your ideas outside of just the SIR journal and production,” Berry said. “It’s a lot of fun, and it’s not as scary as you might think. I encourage everyone to at least give it a try.”
All poems read at the poetry slam, along with any other original written works, are able to be submitted to SIR for the fall edition.
SIR accepts four submissions of artwork per student and four submissions of written work. These written pieces can include poems, short stories, plays and songs.