A group of kids met in language arts teacher Shelly Justin’s room after school yesterday, Thursday, Feb. 12, to discuss poetry and prepare for the slam in May. Mason Smith, junior, started a Poetry Club and Thursday marked their first meeting.

Students will discuss poetry, write their own and enjoy others’ works, Smith said.

“We’ll be able to give each other pointers and just try to improve for the competition in May,” he said.

Smith participated in the slam last year and, in fact, took the gold.

“Last year, someone told me there was a poetry slam, and I did it and I loved it,” he said.

The poetry slam sparked Smith’s interest in slam poetry, and then his interest grew during summer. In June, Smith attended Missouri Scholars Academy where he took “Spoken Word”, a class all about poetry slams.

“I just got more and more into it since then,” he said.

Smith started the club when Justin, the current sponsor, approached him about it.

“Since I had the won the competition last year, she thought I would be interested. She thought I might be able to help her gather some kids who are interested in poetry,” he said. “So, I thought ‘why not?’”

Students interested in joining the new Poetry Club should talk to Justin in Rm. 348.