By Cal State Long Beach’s Poetry Slam took place in the University Student Union Thursday evening. One after another, students of all majors congregated and gave it all they had.
The Poetry Slam, which was organized by the Program Council, allowed students to express themselves through their poems.
“It’s an artistic expression by the students,” said Simone Silva, the Poetry Slam speaker and a Program Council member. “There is so much encouragement for academics on campus, and the Poetry Slam gives a chance to encourage the artistic expression of the students.”
Poet after poet took the stage and performed in front of a student panel of judges who rated each artist on a scale of one to 10.
Senior Eric Morago was the winner of both the first and second segments.
“It’s a great way to share my experiences with the audience,” Morago said. “They are living my poem and I’m living in the moment with them.”
Some of those who attended were actually practicing for upcoming competitions. Senior Jasmine Winfield was one of the poets of the evening who is also a member of the Slam Team, a five-member competitive poetry group that competes against different colleges.
“The Poetry Slam gives the Slam Team a chance to prepare for our competitions that are coming up,” Winfield said.
Other students came to present their poems to the audience for other reasons.
“I came because I’ve been writing since I was 13. It feels good to let out what’s been inside of me for years and to have so many people listen,” said student Osinachi Ajoku. “It’s nice to release it in this type of environment.”
