We are the future -- message rings loud and clear at Eastside Poetry Slam!

Written by Jake Lloyd
Communications Manager

We are all more than just kids. We. Are. The. Future.

And with that line, Burrville Elementary School's poet-athletes -- wearing "Burrville Strong" T-shirts -- summed up the underlying message sent during the second night of the 19th Annual DC SCORES Poetry Slam! at H.D. Woodson High School.

DC SCORES school communities east of Washington, DC's Anacostia River are strong, and never was that more evident than Thursday night when the 20 teams who took the stage collectively told the audience -- and anyone else listening -- what shouldn't have to be said.

WE MATTER. WE WILL SUCCEED.

"Me and my peers will not shed tears, but we will persevere."
-- KIPP KEY Academy

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The night ended just like it had the previous two years -- with Aiton Elementary School's poets, coaches and parents rushing the stage. The Aiton Bears were Golden Mic champions, and no one was arguing.

Donning "Straight Outta Aiton" T-shirts and with their hands shackled by paper-created chains, the Bears delivered yet another powerful, united, inspiring, and thought-provoking performance.

I've been craving dreams to wake up without being assaulted
To live in a place where skin won't define any human
Where people won't gamble with our lives
To not see crying mothers burying their child



Aiton's 8-, 9- and 10-year-old kids interwove black history, today's struggles, and their perseverance beautifully in a performance that spoken word professionals would be proud of.

The Bears punctuated it by raising their chained fists in the air, the paper chains harmlessly falling to the ground, and saying, as one:

Choose to live a life that matters
Choose this day to make your life matter
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
Our lives matter 

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That theme -- our lives matter -- was present throughout the night in front of the capacity audience. During a time of such uncertainty in our country and our communities, the Slam! was a refreshing reminder that these poet-athletes are wise and strong beyond their years. They may only be single digits in age, but their voices are powerful beyond any sort of measure.

There was Delaney B., 11, of Kelly Miller Middle School, taking the mic, stepping to the front of the stage, and being brutally honest about the disadvantages she faces.

Yes, I understand I may have some ups and downs but ALL people do.
Yes, I am Black but the fact that I’m a girl sometimes makes it even harder.

But Delaney reminded the audience that she's not complaining. She will show the world her fortitude.

I have a dream which is to overcome what you may think of me.


...

There was Arnye Y., 10, of Thomas Elementary School, with maybe the most captivating solo poem of the evening:

They say man down, but what about woman down?
They say man up, but what about woman up?

If Arnye isn't in public office within two decades, we'll be surprised.


...

And there was KIPP AIM, decked out in their red school uniforms with one kid holding a sign reading "For our past, our broken brothers," delivering a performance multiple generations of African-American could relate to. If DC's new Smithsonian Museum is looking for children's poetry from the District, it's right here:

For our past, our broken brothers
We are a family
Connected through blood, history, and shared struggle
Why do we fight one another?
We can choose to leave the hardships and troubles in our past
All we need is a breath that lasts
We’ve felt more pain than others
But we’ve been able to withstand it by standing together
We’ve been beaten and broken
Through slavery, segregation, mass incarceration
The wounds may heal and the scars may fade
But the pain of a thousand atrocities pulses through my veins
Beat us down, lock us up
I choose to beat the odds and lock those struggles in the past
I refuse to let this nightmare last

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It's too bad President Barack Obama wasn't in attendance, because he was included, too. Because while these DC SCORES teams from the District's most underserved areas decried the circumstances that make their lives difficult, they also made one thing clear:

They're proud. 

Of their school communities. Of their neighborhoods. Of their families (if KIPP QUEST Academy's "I love my Mom because..." poem didn't make you cry, you're one of the few). Of their city. And of their country.

Imagine Hope Tolson's students put on their best Hawaiian fashion, Wearing leis around their necks, the well-educated Soaring Eagles delivered an ode to the president:

Ma-Ha-Lo President Obama
For inspiring youth to reach for their goals.
MA-- HA-- LO
Ma-Ha-Lo President Obama 
For helping to open the new National Museum of African American History and Culture.
MA--HA--LO
Ma-Ha-Lo President Obama
For creating the largest protected marine wildlife preserve in the world.
MA--HA--LO
Ma-Ha-Lo President Obama,
For investing in education, technology, and renewable energy.
MA--HA--LO
Ma-Ha-Lo President Obama

Mashir C., 10, followed this ode with one to his hometown of Washington, DC, listing all the reasons he loves his city.



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I have the urge to be me
Myself because I am me
I will not change just for someone just like me

Amidon-Bowen Elementary School delivered these words to start the night, and they rang true for the following two hours. From when emcee Charity Blackwell asked the kids to yell, "I LOVE DC SCORES" and eardrums popped until D.C. United players Travis Worra and Jalen Robinson and Shayne Wells from the Deputy Mayor for Education's office handed out trophies, kids didn't act.

They were themselves. Authentic. Genuine.

Some were serious, such as Jefferson Middle School's Janiah P., 13, who won the Shine Award and helped the Trojans take home the Golden Mic. Others were funny, such as Payne Elementary School with lines like, "When I grow up, I want to rap like Fetty Wap."

All impressed. All cheered for each other.

Our community is strong. Our neighborhoods our strong. Our city is strong. And especially our kids are strong.

That's what came across in the WUSA-9 (CBS) segment during the 11PM news, and that was real.

"We are all more than just kids. We. Are. The. Future."

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Elementary Schools

1st place -- Aiton Elementary School
2nd place -- Amidon-Bowen Elementary School
3rd place -- Burrville Elementary School
Spirit Award -- Imagine Hope Tolson
Shine Award -- Arnye Y., Thomas Elementary School

Middle Schools
1st place -- Jefferson Middle School
2nd place -- Kelly Miller Middle School
3rd place -- KIPP KEY Academy
Spirit Awards -- KIPP AIM Academy
Shine Award -- Janiah P., Jefferson

More than 70 kids brave heat at Kelly Miller soccer camp

Written by Colin Patch
Digital Media Intern

If you had to guess, what would you expect a bunch of third- to eighth-graders to be doing on one of the hottest and steamiest afternoons of the summer?

a) Enjoying a cold lemonade in the shade
b) Bathing in a local pool or friend’s sprinkler
c) Playing video games in front of a fan or air conditioner
d) Outside playing 5 hours of soccer with friends

Believe it or not, more than 70 young students from the DC area beat the odds and made their way to DC SCORES’ Summer SCORES soccer camp at Kelly Miller Middle School this past week.

Sweat-drenched T-shirts and frequent water breaks were the theme for the first part of the week as temperatures reached the mid 90’s, but the heat wave proved no match for the little warriors who continued to come out and even completed the more technical aspect of camp – drills which included dribbling, passing and heading exercises – during the hottest stretch.

Mid-week cooler temperatures weren’t the only reward for campers’ hard work. Wednesday brought a large donation of soccer cleats provided by local partner Leveling the Playing Field, which allowed each camper to find their own new pair to keep.

Each camper received a pair of cleats thanks
to a donation from Leveling the Playing Field

Smiles were ignited as kids dug through the containers looking for their right size – or the most trendy and stylish pair.

After everyone was satisfied with their pick, the teams got back on the field to show off both their skills and their new studs in the game-oriented second half of camp. Some exhilarating matches took place between the boys and girls in the older groups, while the youngest group enjoyed some hotly contested games of every kid’s favorite shooting game: Power Finesse.

Another highlight was when campers formed their own teams and had the opportunity to face the staff in the annual Staff vs. Campers game. Despite a slew of good matches – and laughs – the campers were unable to defeat their older rivals. The challenge remains for next year.

To culminate such a successful first week of Summer SCORES, the a large group from Mintz Levin – a charitable partner and friend of DC SCORES – came out to play and help out with the camp-culminating barbecue Friday. Some Mintz Levin employees not only joined the kids, but surprised them with their talents in scrimmages and kickball games, while others took a more stationary – but very important -- role behind the grill and serving food.

A large group of energized employees from DC SCORES partner Mintz Levin came to the camp-culminating BBQ!

Now, with the first week wrapped up at Kelly Miller, the five-week Arts & Soccer Camp at Marie Reed is already under way, keeping kids engaged both physically and mentally during the critical summer months.

Thanks again to our incredibly dedicated and always-handy volunteers, especially the huge and engaged group from Mintz Levin. Special thanks are also owed to Kelly Miller Middle School for hosting us – the impact we strive to make wouldn’t be possible without your help!

Poetry Slam! performance of the week: Kelly Miller Middle School

Each Wednesday during the year, we will highlight one of the 41 performances from the 16th Annual DC SCORES Poetry Slam! that took place Dec. 4-5, 2013. The event is the largest youth poetry slam in the District and highlights the original poems of our 1,500 youth. To view any performance from the Poetry Slam!, visit our YouTube channel. You can also read recaps of the event on our blog: Westside; Eastside. 

Today we highlight Kelly Miller Middle School, which finished in second place for the Lions' inspiring and unified performance on stage at H.D. Woodson High School. The Lions' complete performance included a rap about where the students are from; transitioned into words about the motivation that can be created by love; and finished with a rap song that included the refrain, "That's what we do/It's a catch 22; no matter what you do/people wanna judge you!"

The Lions' performance displayed the creativity that comes out of DC SCORES' three-month poetry and spoken word fall season. Clearly, they spent several days practicing their well-choreographed work.

Click on the embedded video above to watch the Lions' performance!

High school student creates nonprofit, donates soccer cleats to DC SCORES youth

Sarah Bair and Drew's newly outfitted soccer team. 

There are many ways you can contribute to DC SCORES. Whether through donating, volunteering, or interacting with us on social media (among other things), you're helping build teams for 1,500 low-income youth in DC. Sarah Bair is one individual who got creative in supporting our organization, using a grant to create a nonprofit and donate soccer cleats to Drew Elementary School and Kelly Miller Middle School (and more schools in the future!). Sarah, a junior at Bullis High School in Potomac, Md., recently took time out of her busy, cleat-donating schedule to chat with DC SCORES.

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DCS: Tell me about the contest you won to receive the funding for Cleats for Peace?

Over the summer I attended the HOBY Leadership International Seminar in Chicago. The ambassadors were asked to come up with an idea for a nonprofit. I eventually had to pitch my idea to a few groups of people who each had to vote for the nonprofit they thought would be the most successful. Finally at the closing gala on the last night of the conference, seven including myself out of 432 ambassadors were chosen to receive a $250 grant to start their nonprofit.

DCS: How'd you come up with the idea of Cleats for Peace?

Soccer has always been an influential part of my life and I know many girls and boys are not as fortunate as I am to play. The idea to collect used soccer cleats and other gear was sparked due to the perfectly good pairs of cleats sitting in my garage not being used. So I figured why not give children/teenagers a chance to play soccer by using easily attainable donations. Through these donations I hope to inspire these athletes to not only stay physically active but also have a positive outlet, which is stressed in DC SCORES' main values.

DCS: What does giving back mean to you?

Giving back has always been a core value in my life. For the past two summers, I have gone on a week mission trip with my youth group to Nashville, Tenn., and then West Virginia this past summer. I think service is something everyone should strive to do on a regular basis, because in the end the work you put in is totally worth it. During the winter when I am not in (soccer) season, I am involved with my school's community service club. I sincerely enjoy the connection I make with the residents at a senior citizen home or the students at a school for kids with learning disabilities. Regardless, I believe community service is something all who are able should be involved with. The feeling of reward after giving back makes any act of kindness worthwhile. So Cleats for Peace is my personal way of giving back while allowing boys and girls to also enjoy soccer as much as I do.

DCS: What role has soccer played in your life?

I have been playing soccer since I was in kindergarten. I quickly fell in love with the sport and eventually started playing at a more challenging level. Although I do not have the intent to play in college, I know I will continue my love of the game with hopefully a club team. I do not know what I would do without soccer. I can always count on my teammates to make my day better, and anytime I need to take some stress out soccer is always the best method. My love for soccer continues to grow as I play for my travel and school team. Soccer is that one thing in my life that I can always count on to forget about everything else and just have fun.

DCS: What does it mean to you to provide kids with cleats who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford them?

A Kelly Miller student rocks his new cleats!

I live in a privileged community and have never had an issue with the costs of soccer or equipment. However, I know not everyone is as lucky as I am. I want to give boys and girls the outlet and opportunity I have with soccer -- allowing children and teenagers to not only love the sport as much as I do, but get the physical activity and positive outlet necessary for a child to grow. For many kids there is a barrier between them and soccer. Without the proper equipment, they cannot fully engage in the game. By collecting and distributing the donations, I hope to break this barrier and allow these players to embrace soccer as much as I have.

DCS: Tell me more about the mission of Cleats for Peace and what you hope to accomplish?

My goal with Cleats for Peace is to give all children in the D.C. area who desire to play soccer the opportunity to do so (with cleats!). Because with soccer, these kids will gain physical activity, which is often not funded in their schools. Also along with being physically active, I believe it is important for children to have a positive outlet. So Cleats for Peace's mission is much like DC SCORES' because both strive to get kids physically active as well as stress self-expression.

DCS: What are your future plans (college, what do you want to go into?)

I have no idea what college I want to go to yet, but I am pretty sure I want to study Psychology. I love working with kids so I want a minor in Education to hopefully become a therapist to children in school. I have worked at a summer camp for preschoolers since I was 12 and often babysit. So I think whatever my career ends up being, if it involves children I will be pretty satisfied and will enjoy my job.

Learn more about the important work Sarah is doing by visiting Cleats for Peace's Facebook page. 

Going to College Part I: Davongah Martin, James Madison University

Davongah Martin (front right) with her Kelly Miller
Middle School soccer team.

During the six weeks leading up to the fall DC SCORES season, we are highlighting former program participants who are enrolling in college. These young adults found many of their interests through their time in our Arts/Athletics/Academics model and have used the lessons learned through their teams to earn scholarships to continue their education.

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When Davongah Martin joined the DC SCORES team at Arts and Technology Academy in 2003, she had never been on a team before. Of any kind.

Davongah, then a third-grader, had no idea what being on a team meant. She didn't know about the benefits that came from working together as one to achieve a goal (or two). Or how a peer's success could, and would, push her to achieve things she'd never thought possible. 

Ten years later, Davongah has used DC SCORES' core values — teamwork, leadership and commitment — to earn an academic scholarship to attend James Madison University, where she will study criminal justice and minor in psychology.

"DC SCORES taught me to never give up and work hard," said Davongah, who will also run track for the Dukes' varsity Division I team and run on their cross country club team. 

Davongah said that her experience with DC SCORES at ATA and then Kelly Miller Middle School in Ward 7 built her character and inspired her to play more sports. 

It's a sad truth that there's a clear paucity of school sports teams for girls growing up in the District — especially in low-income areas. Soccer was never Davongah's passion, but through playing it, just by having the opportunity, she learned to love sports. She now will compete at a very high level.

We're excited to follow Davongah's continued growth academically and athletically in college. 

Students throughout DC feel powerful, create sustainable change during spring of service-learning

Photo by Juliette Steadman

Written by Cory Chimka
Program Director

POWERFUL!

That’s how a team of 32 youths feel after spending an entire fall season engaging in team-building exercises on the soccer field and in the classroom; then showcasing themselves and their work in a competitive, team-created, multimedia spoken word performance in front of over 500 community members at Washington, DC’s largest youth poetry slam.

The team has a collective voice, something important to say, and they DEMAND you listen!

DC SCORES’ spring writing season seeks to harness that power in the interest of developing communities, making positive sustainable change, and giving students marketable life and professional skills that will make them more employable and increase the number of quality educational opportunities down the road.

As winter thaws into spring, each team gets out of their classroom on writing days. They closely examine their community: Who are the people in their community? What are the things they most love about their community? What are the threats of and to their community? Is the longevity of the current population remaining in their neighborhood threatened – including themselves and their families? What do they see every day, but never took the time to think about before?

The students then choose together a community issue to dig deeply into. They choose a point on their “threat-to-asset” continuum where they think they can safely make the largest, most sustainable impact for themselves, their families and their neighbors. At that point, DC SCORES coaches take a back seat, offering guidance and resources, arranging guest speakers, and exploring community partnerships.

The students take charge!

On one visit to Bancroft Elementary School in Mount Pleasant, I got to see 8- and 9-year-old committee spokespeople reporting out to the large group the status of the work each small group was doing. Members of the Technology Committee were video recording the reports using iPads, while the Social Media Committee stood by intending to use the footage as vLogs on a Wordpress site the team had set up to document their entire service-learning process.

A few days later, I found myself on the opposite end of town at Kelly Miller Middle School in far Northeast. The students were grouped in four corners of the room. Some were huddled around coach Kevon Ward’s personal laptop, iPad, iPhone, and iPod. Like many teams, Kelly Miller elected to partner with a senior center near the school. But Kelly Miller students, rather than focus on traditional ways of supporting the seniors, aimed to bridge the “digital divide” they had read about online. By teaching older adults how to use smart phones and other technology, their visit made sustainable change.

The team at Hart Middle School was devastated when their proposal to hold a “Claws & Paws Benefit Dance” at the school was denied by an administrator. Fortunately, this setback only galvanized the team to make sure “stray animals captured will have a better experience until adopted,” and “raise awareness about animals in need.”  Through internet research and a guest speaker, they learned that one shelter badly needed old sheets and blankets. Upon further learning that a recent distemper outbreak had caused the local shelter to destroy their sheet and blanket supply, they focused all their “dance energy” on collecting funds as well as old sheets and blankets. Weeks later, they presented the shelter with garbage bags filled with blankets and a check for $160.

Before I headed out for the last day of spring programming, I changed into gym shorts and donned a sweat band. I was signed up to run in Bancroft’s “DC SCORES One-Miler for Homeless Animals.” I followed student-created signs that led me easily to a well-organized registration table. After checking my name off a list of registrants, the students handed me a runner’s bib not unlike I’d seen marathoners wear on television. I was runner #281!

After registration, I was directed toward an adjacent table where students asked me my size and handed me a beautiful hand-screened T-shirt designed and created by the team. The roar of a Harley Davidson caught my ear and I whipped around as an MPD motorcycle officer pulled on to the playground. Were we in trouble?

No! When the team applied to the MPD for the parade permit, they’d read that the city required when hosting a race an MPD escort. Here he was!

The race was professional and perfectly planned at every turn. “Course Marshalls” guided my way down the clearly marked trail, which included runs along commercial and residential streets before dipping into Rock Creek Park. Around each corner, I was encouraged by signs held by DC SCORES participants and teachers from the school who students had recruited as race day volunteers.

Each quarter mile, I was given my lap time along with more shouts of encouragement. When I heaved back onto the school’s blacktop, and labored cross the finish line, I came in fourth among adult racers, narrowly missing the prize of a $25 iTunes gift card.

It didn’t matter. When Coach Velez announced over the portable public address system that collectively we’d raised over $1000 to help homeless animals in the District of Columbia, we looked around at one another, huffing and puffing through grins.

We were all winners, and we were…

POWERFUL!

Kelly Miller Middle School students give senior citizens a lesson on technology

Written by Zaryn Jennings

DC SCORES Communications Intern

The room looked a bit like a technology help center at a Verizon store: A young, tech-savvy worker, helping out an older, slightly confused adult.

The only difference between that scenario and the Carver 2000 Senior Mansion last Wednesday afternoon? The young, tech-savvy workers were students from Kelly Miller Middle School and the confused adults were the senior citizens the students helped for the afternoon.

I wasn’t sure of what to expect and I’m not quite sure the students did either as they made their way to the Senior Mansion as part of their DC SCORES service-learning project. Their goal: to educate the senior citizens on the benefits of technology, as well as to help and answer any questions. The kids wanted to bridge the technology gap.

Ultimately, they bridged even more.

When the afternoon began, the students huddled together in the back of the room while the group of 12-15 senior citizens occupied the front. After cookies were eaten and an ice breaker was played, it wasn’t long until friendships were forged.

The students split into two groups to perform skits, one focused on educating the senior citizens about the importance of cell phones, while the other spoke of the importance of computers and email. They were encouraged by the adults in the room who told them as the students performed that “anything you do will be great because we don’t know anything.”

What impressed me the most was what followed the skits. The kids in the room, without any hesitancy, divided themselves amongst the three tables of senior citizens and immediately began helping them in any way they could.

Questions ranged from Facebook and FaceTime, to how to change a ringtone, or get email working on a phone. The kids were patient and polite with their answers. While some of the elders were working with cell phones older and less advanced than theirs, the students didn’t have any problems in figuring out solutions.

A woman, who asked questions about how to check minutes on her phone, told me, “I love talking to these kids. You can just learn so much.” It wasn’t only technology she was talking about.

Conversations became centered on more than just phones and computers as the senior citizens asked the kids about school and soccer. The room was no longer divided between older and younger but rather became a mixture of all the ages right in the middle.

Joshua, a student at Kelly Miller, agreed that the afternoon was beneficial, and said his favorite part was, “Helping them with Facebook and their email. And just helping them.”

Janice, a resident at the Senior Mansion, was grateful the kids came because, “[They] were so helpful!” The questions she had answered and the new tools she learned were “definitely” resources she said she would use in the future.  

In a matter of an afternoon, the young, tech-savvy Kelly Miller students became the instructors — feeling empowered by the chance to make a difference in the lives of others, even those much older than them.

And like one of the residents told me, “Everyone can learn something.”

Kelly Miller Middle School students provide insight into service-learning process

Kelly Miller students plan their service-learning project

Written by Molly Fessler

DC SCORES intern

When the Kelly Miller Middle School DC SCORES team started thinking about their service-learning project, they knew they wanted to raise money to help their school — but they also wanted to go further than that.

“Last week we were talking about things we could do to raise money for Kelly Miller. Our teacher wanted us to do something more than pick up trash ... so we thought we could do a car wash,” Taejon B. said. “Then when the bombings in Boston happened, we thought we could raise some money for them too.”

The Kelly Miller Lions are working on developing their project, a process that takes a couple months and requires the creative dedication of all students working together. One week, they came up with their idea; the next week, it was time to figure out how to make the car wash a
reality.

I caught up with the team members to find out how they would develop a solid plan of action.

“We're going to need to get our supplies, figure out water and soap and all that stuff,” Precious J. said. “People will need clothes they can get wet in … We'll have to advertise, maybe people can make signs.”

The students have moved past the initial brainstorming phase and are asking more tangible questions:

What goes into creating an event?

Who needs to do what?

Do the students have to ask for permission — and from whom?

It’s a process that takes time, problem-solving skills, and teamwork as the students determine who should do what, when it should be completed, and how.  

Beyond creating lists of supplies and negotiating roles on the team, another important part of implementing a service-learning project  is discussing why the work being done is important.  

As Taejon B. puts it, “Raising money is really good.”  

Joshua M., adds, “It’s going to help us learn more about our community and the people in Boston ... they need help, ‘cause some people can't pay their medical bills if they got injured.”

DC SCORES service-learning projects are all about students identifying issues at their respective schools but also exploring their greater communities and identifying what needs addressing.

The Lions envisioned a project through which they could become engaged in their local community to spread a message of solidarity and understanding. With the help of their service-learning coach, Ms. Kavon, Kelly Miller students are thinking big.

They set a fundraising goal of $1,500, money that will be split between their school and a fund for victims in Boston.

As the service-learning season winds down with three weeks remaining before the Jamboree! celebration June 1, the Kelly Miller team — and dozens of other school teams throughout the District — is moving forward, putting their strong plan into action.

“I’m excited,” Precious said. “We’re going to help people.”

Poetry Slam! 2012 video of the week: Kelly Miller Middle School

 

NOTE: Each week, we are featuring a school's performance from the 15th Annual DC SCORES Poetry Slam!, the largest youth slam in the District! During the two-night culminating event of the fall season -- held Nov. 28 at Columbia Heights Education Campus and Nov. 29 at H.D. Woodson High School -- 35 schools had the opportunity to perform original group and solo poems and songs in front of their peers, families and community members. At the end of each night, teams were called back up on stage to receive trophies.

We hope you enjoy this glimpse into the self-expression DC SCORES instills in youth. 

On the second night of the Slam!, Kelly Miller Middle School -- the school where our middle school program started! -- continued its string of strong performances with four poems about "believing and never giving up" and the power of friendship. The students choreographed their performance to background music, and at the end of the night took home the third-place trophy for middle schools. 

To view any performance from the Poetry Slam!, visit the DC SCORES YouTube page.

Highlighting our youth poets: Kelly Miller Middle School

NOTE: Each week, we are featuring a school's performance from the 14th Annual Poetry Slam!. During the two-night culminating event of the fall season, each of the 27 schools DC SCORES serves had the opportunity to perform original poems and songs in front of their peers, families and community members.

On the second night of the Slam!, Kelly Miller Middle School won first place in the middle school division with a performance highlighted by a tribute to all the moms in the audience, singing, "You are my sunshine. ... M-O-M I L-U-V you. ... Always." Check out Kelly Miller's winning performance at H.D. Woodson High School.

To view any performance from the Poetry Slam!, visit the DC SCORES YouTube page.

Coach profile: Ericka Logan, C.W. Harris Elementary School

Ericka Logan

Writing coach, C.W. Harris Elementary School

How long have you been with DC SCORES and at what schools?

Eight years. Seven at Kelly Miller (Middle School) and one year at C.W. Harris.

What’s your other job within or outside the school?

This year I am a third and fourth grade English teacher. In the past I've been a middle school reading teacher and instructional coach. I also was the girls assistant basketball coach at Kelly Miller (years ago).

How did you get into education or start working with youth?

I studied elementary education at Towson University and knew at that time I wanted to become a teacher. I had a high school math teacher, Ms. Mamano, that made learning fun every day you entered her classroom. She greeted us with a smile, taught us with excitement and enjoyed doing it. I wanted to give that same energy and love for teaching and learning to my students one day.

Why did you choose to work for DC SCORES; what attracted you to the program?

Having the opportunity to see students in a different light outside of the classroom is what attracted me to DC SCORES. Seeing them excited and encouraged in other areas other than day-to-day school work. Seeing the quietest child come out of his/her shell and being the loudest child on the field but in a positive way.

Now that you’ve been doing it for awhile, what do you enjoy most about it?

Poetry Slam! every year. At school my kids act like they aren't ready, sometimes even act shy and even forgetting their own words to poems they've written. But they absolutely amaze me each and every year when they hit the stage. Their excitement, confidence and smiles make me proud.

In addition to that, I am able to see other DC SCORES students perform. Seeing their excitement and their coaches with them makes all the hard work well worth it.

Why is DC SCORES important to the school and the students it serves?

There are times that pressure is on teachers to make sure our students pass state assessments, which is good because we definitely want our kids to be able to compete with other students across the country academically. But sometimes that doesn't allow us to do activities such as poetry and public speaking during class time, because there simply isn't enough time in the day.

DC SCORES gives me the opportunity to get to know my students on an even deeper level. Things they share in their poetry I sometimes am not able to get in the classroom. It also gives them/me the opportunity to meet and bond with other students, either younger or older, that they/I wouldn't normally meet because they transition with their homerooms all day.

Was there an experience you had growing up that pushed you into education or toward doing a program like DC SCORES? Were you in a similar program?

I wouldn't say that there was an experience I had growing up that pushed me into education, but I can say I had a mother that instilled in my brother and me the importance of education and becoming a well-rounded individual. There was never a summer or an evening after school that we weren't involved in something. We were always involved in some kind of activity.

We were involved in sports, after-school programs, boys and girls scouts, Friday night youth Bible study, HAP (Higher Achievement Program), after-school tutoring, sewing class, piano lessons and band practice. My parents reminded us of our "mission" daily. The "mission" was going to school daily and performing and behaving in school that demonstrated excellence. It was the expectation that we fulfill the "mission" daily and even to this day, we are still on the "mission.”

What’s your favorite DC SCORES event and why?

Jamboree! is one of my favorites or the service-learning projects (in the spring). Just seeing our kids involved and engaged in doing something positive that benefits them and mankind. Seeing them involved in activities that they probably would've never even considered participating in.

What’s your most memorable DC SCORES experience?

One summer I had the opportunity to take a summer poetry class at the University of Iowa. I had the opportunity to meet other writing coaches from across the country. I never considered myself a poet but after leaving Iowa that summer I said to myself, ‘Not bad, Ericka, not bad at all.’ I too am a poet and enjoyed doing it.

Who is your favorite athlete?

Allen Iverson

Who is your favorite singer or poet?

Ledisi and Jill Scott

What is your favorite food?

Lasagna

Alumni profile: Queen D., H.D. Woodson High School

(If you’re an alum of DC SCORES, become a friend of the alumni Facebook page or contact Miss Katrina at khochstetler@americascores.org or 202.295.7760 to get involved.)

Queen D., 12th grade

H.D. Woodson High School

DC SCORES school: Kelly Miller Middle School

What impact did DC SCORES have on you?

I think it made me more focused because I learned that to win the games and go on the trips I had to stay on the team, so it made me pull up my grades.

What did you learn about being on a team?

Sportsmanship. That you’ve got to show good sportsmanship to the other team even though you’re against them.

What do you enjoy about being involved as an alum?

Just working with the youth and trying to make them understand how important DC SCORES should be to them like it was to us.

What specific things are you looking forward to doing?

The creative writing, poetry, helping at the Poetry Slam!. (I want to) teach them how to write poems, because I remember that when I was in creative writing in middle school I hated writing poetry. But now I write poems every night. I have a book that I write in every night.

When did you start enjoying poetry writing?

It’s not that I didn’t like writing poetry, I (just) didn’t know how to. But (my writing coach) taught me the steps of writing poetry, and how you should write a good metaphor and stuff like that. And I just started writing.