National Poetry SLAM! diary: Three days in New York City!

DC SCORES Writing Coordinator Rachel Klepper accompanied poetry stars Jency M. and Leron B. on their trip to New York City for a weekend in the Big Apple with 25 other young poet-athletes culminating with the 9th Annual America SCORES National Poetry SLAM!. Read below for Rachel's recap of the experience and view the photo album HERE. Watch any part of the SLAM! in the embedded video above or by clicking HERE. 

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Written by Rachel Klepper
Writing Coordinator

Day 1, April 11 -- On the Train to New York
Our journey to New York City began on Saturday morning when I met Jency and Leron at Union Station. We picked out some snacks and headed to the boarding area. Before we even made it to the train, the questions started: How long is the train ride? What will we do in New York? Will the buildings be really tall? This was both poets’ first trip to New York City, so they were full of questions and excitement.

On the train, Leron and Jency got to know one another and quickly became friends. They talked, watched movies, and eagerly awaited our arrival in New York. Finally, we stopped at Penn Station and made our way outside for their first glimpse of the city.

First we headed to the hotel to meet up with America SCORES staff and leave our suitcases. We got settled in quickly because Leron and Jency were impatient to explore! We had a few hours on our own before dinner since other cities' poets were still arriving from the airport. When I had first met the two poets back in DC, I asked them what they most wanted to see in New York. After hearing what they were interested in, I planned to use the time for two iconic New York activities: pizza and a visit to Times Square.

Both stops were a big success. We found an award-winning pizza store, where we all got enormous, cheesy slices. They were delicious! Then we walked through the crowded streets and soon emerged in the middle of Times Square. Jency and Leron’s eyes lit up as they saw the bright billboards, tall skyscrapers, and tempting stores all around them. It was a perfect introduction to the city.

When we returned to the hotel, it was time for dinner and meeting the 25 other poets who would be joining them for the weekend. Leron and Jency each settled in at a table with their three roommates and took part in a fun bingo icebreaker. After that the hard work began. They had their first performance workshop, where they began to understand how they would be preparing for Monday’s performance.

Day 2, April 12 -- Empire State Building!

Sunday morning started with a continuation of the Poetry SLAM! rehearsal. Each of the poets had a chance to practice the poem that they would perform on Monday night. Leron and Jency were both performing pieces that had won them Shine Awards at the DC SCORES Poetry Slam! in December, so they were experts at their poems. However, they still had lots to learn from their talented peers, and paid careful attention as Coach Tova gave them advice on their voice and movement.

After lunch, it was time for an adventure to the top of the Empire State Building! We divided up into groups by room, so I traveled with Jency and her three new friends from Milwaukee, Cleveland and Portland. We waited in line to go up two elevators to the top, and when we got there we were greeted by a spectacular view and perfect weather. The girls loved taking pictures and searching for landmarks - they even found the Statue of Liberty!

Although everyone was tired by the time we returned to our room, we could only take a short break because we needed to get ready for dinner. Our Sunday dinner took place at the Marriott in Times Square, so we got dressed up and quickly walked the twenty minutes to the hotel. The poets felt so important in the gorgeous hotel, eating from the amazing buffet -- they especially loved selecting their desserts! Some poets had family members join them. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the hard work and dedication the poets and their communities put into writing poetry and getting ready for the SLAM!.

Despite their busy day and a long walk back to the hotel, the poets were not ready to sleep. They were filled with anticipation for what Monday would bring. Since it was the final night before the performance, we got to participate in an America SCORES tradition: the SLAM! Pajama Party. The poets in our room performed their poems for one another in a relaxed, friendly environment, while snacking on popcorn, playing music, and trying on their new NYC souvenirs.

Day 3, April 13 -- SLAM! TIME

Monday was the day of the performance, but there was still a lot of work to do! After breakfast, the poets gathered for more rehearsing. They only had a few hours to learn the group poem that would open the show. Each poet had written an original line that they memorized in addition to the chorus. The most important part, however, was learning to recite the poem in unison and to accompany it with choreography.

During this rehearsal, the team really came together. They learned to listen to one another and to each ensure that they were doing their part to make sure the piece went smoothly.

Then it was on to Central Park, another New York spot Jency and Leron had heard about from movies and TV shows. They sat outside in the sun and ate sandwiches, and then participated in small soccer games. It was a great way for everyone to relax and have fun before the big night.

We went straight from the park to the venue for the SLAM!, the Thomson Reuters building in Times Square. The performance would be at the very top of the skyscraper! When we arrived, the poets did a dress rehearsal on stage. Then they had some time to hang out and change into their special T-shirts. Everyone was feeling pretty nervous, but they were encouraged because they knew that they would all be on stage together.

The time passed so quickly that the poets had just barely finished their pizza dinner when they were led upstairs and backstage. They began with their group poem, chanting in strong voices: “Louder than thunder my voice will be heard. I breathe my dreams alive, I CAN change the world!”

After that, each of the 25 poet-athletes recited their poem. Emcee Charity Blackwell -- a former DC SCORES staff member and coach -- helped the poets feel comfortable and happy on stage. Jency was one of the first poets to perform her poem about bullying. She boldly asked the sell-out audience, “Do you have the courage to go against bullying? and pointed straight to the middle of the room, encouraging all of us to take a stand for what we believe in. Later, it was Leron’s turn. He confidently took the microphone out of its stand to walk across the stage as he spoke, reciting a meaningful poem about the price of freedom.

During the hour-long SLAM!, the poets spoke about their lives, their hopes, and dreams. The poems ranged from funny to serious, but they all captured the audience's attention and encouraged us to see the depth and promise of these children's thoughts. After the last performance, the poets exited the stage, wearing sunglasses and huge smiles on their faces. They were so proud of what they had accomplished and enjoyed meeting their fans and signing programs -- a very celebratory end to the weekend.

Soon we returned to the hotel, and for the first time all weekend the girls quickly fell asleep. They were exhausted from the long day and needed to get up early on Tuesday to pack up and head home.

Day 4, April 14 -- Heading home
The next morning I brought Leron and Jency to the train and we settled into our seats. They were both so happy to have experienced New York City, made new friends, and to be part of a new community of poets. They realized that poetry is now an important part of who they are and how they express themselves. They returned to school more confident and proud to be themselves, and with wonderful stories of their adventures in the Big Apple.

It was a weekend that they will never forget.

Introducing winter SCORES: An emphasis on healthy living

It feels like just yesterday students were on stage at the Poetry Slam! finishing the fall DC SCORES season with one brilliant performance after another. Yes, the break was short. Today, programming is back!

Our scaled-down winter nutrition and soccer program begins at eight DC public schools this afternoon -- Bancroft, Thomson, Marie Reed and Seaton elementary schools; Brightwood Education Campus (elementary); and Johnson, Hart and Lincoln middle schools.

During the next six weeks, students will learn that what they put into their bodies affects their performance on the soccer field. They will directly go through this process by preparing healthy snacks for themselves and then seeing how much better they feel during multi-school soccer clinics.

The winter season leads up to the spring DC SCORES season at 40-plus schools, which kicks off March 16.

For an inside look at what happens during the winter, we caught up with Writing Coordinator Rachel Klepper, who has coached the winter 'Power of Choice' curriculum at Thomson Elementary School. You can also get a sense of the program from the video above.

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What are the main objectives of winter SCORES for the kids involved?

RK: The goal of winter SCORES is to get kids thinking about how they can make healthy choices in their everyday lives. We want to teach them the background and skills to understand the way that what they eat and drink affects their health. In winter SCORES they also have the chance to improve their soccer skills with regular soccer practices and clinics.

Nutrition is such a difficult topic to tackle with kids. How do you make it fun to eat healthy?

RK; It's really natural to talk about nutrition in DC SCORES, because everyone wants to become a better soccer player. One way we discuss nutrition is by showing how healthy eating helps them to play better. We also make nutrition fun by including lots of hands-on activities. The kids love getting to test out new recipes that include healthy ingredients such as whole wheat bread, fruits and vegetables.

Give us an example of a nutrition lesson you've found effective in past years?

RK: One lesson that's really effective is a lesson about soda. Students measure out the amount of sugar in a bottle of soda, and they are always amazed! When you see a bottle in front of you, it's hard to realize how much sugar is hiding in it. Most students leave the class excited to share what they saw with family and friends, and to cut down on the amount of soda they drink.

What's one of kids' favorite snacks to take home with them and tell their families about?

RK: Last year my class voted on their favorite snack, and the winner was turkey pocket sandwiches. They took whole wheat pita bread and stuffed it with turkey slices, lettuce, tomato, and low fat salad dressing.

Thomson Elementary School students address hunger in their community

The Thomson Tigers love eating!

Members of the DC SCORES team at the downtown school -- fresh off learning about nutrition during our winter program -- eat three healthy meals a day at school and realize how snacks like sun butter and apples help them perform well on the soccer field.

"If you eat junk food, you're going to be lazy, you're going to be walking across the field," Maurice C. said.

But the Tigers aren't just living in their own little cocoon. Through the discovery component of their service-learning curriculum this spring, the students learned many startling and disconcerting facts about hunger. They realized that there are millions of people in the United States and even in their own community -- many of them children -- who don't get the nutritious filling meals they receive.

"It makes me want to help people who don't have food, because sometimes people waste food," Marbin C. said. "Sometimes they have food and they waste it, they don't eat it, and some kids are starving to death."

The DC SCORES team researched and realized how dire the situation is. Now, as part of the action component of the service-learning season, they're making a tangible difference.

On Tuesday, the Tigers invited a group of 20-plus younger students at the school to join them for putting together bags of trail mix to donate to D.C. Central Kitchen. The project produced two results: First off, six students stood up in front of the group and educated the first- and second-graders on why they were gathered in the cafeteria.

"16 million kids in the U.S. are hungry," one student read.

"One out of three kids in D.C. don't have enough food," said another.

"You can get headaches and you don't do good in school," said another about the effects of hunger.

Then everyone got down to business. Seated at a long table, the students took turns scooping paper cups full of nutritious gorp -- granola, cranberries, chocolate chips, chex mix -- and then depositing the cups' contents into plastic bags. Each kid, whether in DC SCORES or not, was responsible for making four bags and delivering them to the box station at an adjacent table. There, a few students were in charge of double-checking that the bags were sealed and then dropping them in the delivery box.

Within 15 minutes, an approximate 200 bags of trail mix were ready to be delivered to D.C. Central Kitchen, which will then distribute them to kids in after-school programs who don't receive healthy meals like the Tigers.

That made the students feel good. Two of them described the sense of accomplishment as "wonderful." Added Marbin: "We are giving food to people that need it."

"It's good because I get enough food, but they don't," said Maurice while sealing one of the final bags.

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The Thomson Tigers' service-learning project isn't over yet, though. Not only did they provide food for students in need and educate the younger students at school about the importance of healthy eating -- everyone also created a large banner adorned with photos of nutritious fruits and vegetables -- but today they're doing something they've been looking forward to for much of the DC SCORES season.

They are writing letters to DC councilmembers.

You see, this winter there were a lot of snow days at school. And on those days, the Tigers and thousands of youth throughout the city who rely on school meals for nourishment were left hungry. A bill the council is considering would ensure that when winter strikes, the meal program would still be available to students.

There's a hearing on the bill in a few weeks, and the Tigers are making sure that councilmembers will have dozens of letters to look over from those directly affected by their decision.

Members of the Thomson DC SCORES team are now experts on their favorite subject. They love eating food, and they also know the negative effects of not receiving daily nourishment. Through service-learning, they're doing all they can both on the ground and in trying to influence legislation to make a difference so that more kids in DC can enjoy sun butter and apples after school and feel fit and prepared for whatever activity they're taking part in.

National Poetry SLAM! diary: A weekend of memory making in NYC

In early April, Elementary School Program Coordinator Rachel Klepper accompanied DC SCORES students Skky M. of Imagine Hope Community Charter School and Xavier C. of Arts and Technology Academy to New York City for the 8th Annual America SCORES National Poetry SLAM!. But the trip was more than just the event. Rachel spent three days with Skky, Xavier, and students from 12 other cities during a a special weekend the kids will never forget.

Watch the SLAM! here, look at photos here, and see Xavier's appearance on MSNBC here.

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Written by Rachel Klepper 
Elementary School Program Coordinator

On Saturday morning, I met Skky, Xavier and their families at Union Station to take the train to New York City. Everyone was excited, and a little nervous as well -- it was the start of a big trip!

As we navigated our many suitcases through the crowded station, we ran into a surprise guest. Jerome Clemons, who is Skky’s coach at Imagine Hope Tolson Community Charter School, came to see us off! And he brought special presents for Skky and Xavier. They got each got a DC flag and pin so that they could share their DC pride with their new friends and keep a reminder of home while exploring a new city.

We quickly boarded the train and began our journey to New York. On the way, Skky and Xavier got to know each other, talked about their schools and their DC SCORES teams, and played card games. It was both of their first train rides, and they loved it!

When we got to New York, we found our hotel, which was on a busy street right next to Penn Station. We had a couple hours to settle in before dinner. Just looking out of our window on the 25th floor, we could see a sea of yellow taxis, pedestrians, and tall skyscrapers -- we were amazed! Skky and Xavier were surprised by how different New York looked compared to DC, but they couldn’t wait to explore.

At dinner, Skky and Xavier got to meet the 24 other poet-athletes who would be joining them at the National SLAM! and would become their new friends. After we ate, the chaperones all met while the kids went off to get right to work on their poems. As I sat in the chaperone room listening to the plan for the weekend, I could hear the kids chanting and singing, already having so much fun.

After practice, we went up to our rooms. Skky and I stayed with one other chaperone and girls from Milwaukee and St. Louis, and Xavier stayed with two chaperones and three other boys. By bedtime, everyone was so much more relaxed and felt settled in to our hotel. After the first long day, the nerves had disappeared and they were excited to spend time with their friends and for all the adventures to come!

Sunday
The first priority Sunday was practice. Not only did each poet need to practice their individual poem, perfecting their memorization, annunciation, emotion, and movement, but everyone also needed to learn the group poem. The poets learned that the show would open with all 26 of them on stage, reciting a poem together, with each one having a special line about themselves and their city.

Watching the group poem practice was one of my favorite parts of the weekend. In a matter of days, they went from being 26 kids from states all across the country, to a team that could speak and move in perfect synchronization.

After some time to practice the individual poems in small groups, we ate lunch and then headed out on our first New York City adventure to the Statue of Liberty. By this time, Skky and Xavier had made friends with the other poet-athletes, so they raced on the bus to sit with their friends and pleaded to spend our time on Liberty Island with another group of kids. Of course, the answer was yes! We took a boat to the island and then got to climb the stairs to the pedestal of the statue, where we could look out and see beautiful views of the city.

We returned to the hotel just in time to change into our fancy clothes and head out to dinner at the Marriott in Times Square. Although the walk with 26 children through a packed Times Square at night meant lots of work for the chaperones, it was worth it to see the poet-athletes' wide eyes as they looked around at the blinking billboards and enormous stores. They certainly felt elegant and important as they rode the glass elevator up to the restaurant at the Marriott!

After dinner we returned to our hotel rooms for our pajama parties. In this National SLAM! tradition, each room gets to practice their poems in a fun and relaxed environment, while snacking on popcorn and other treats. In our room the girls practiced while dancing around the room and wearing some of their new souvenirs from NYC!

Soon it was bedtime, and although the girls wanted to stay up chatting all night, we knew that Monday would be a big day and everyone needed their rest.

Monday
Monday morning started off with breakfast in our hotel rooms, and then some more practicing of the group poem. After an hour of rehearsal we got on the bus for one of the most anticipated parts of the weekend: soccer in Central Park! Despite the light rain, our poet-athletes were happy to run around the park and play a fun soccer game. It was a great way to distract everyone from their nervousness about the performance.

From Central Park we took the bus right to the New York Stock Exchange, where the Poetry Slam would take place. It was finally almost time! First, though, the group got to practice on stage. Everyone recited their poems until they felt comfortable with the words and the microphone. At this point, everyone was pretty calm, though they were starting to realize that their big moment was getting closer.

Then the time came for the poet-athletes to head downstairs for dinner. They were all distracted by the delicious buffet, and by a surprise visit from soccer star and America SCORES spokesperson Briana Scurry. But little did they know that while they ate and laughed with their friends, hundreds of guests were arriving for the SLAM!. Soon it was time, and the poet athletes donned their matching shirts and neon sunglasses. They walked upstairs and down the center of the audience to take their places backstage.

That was the moment that the atmosphere changed. All around me, the poet athletes were realizing that in a few short minutes they would be up on stage in front of all these people. I could sense the anxiety, but I also could tell how ready they were. I knew that every single one of them was going to be amazing! I felt so happy to be able to be there with them and, along with the other chaperones, give them encouragement as they walked onto the stage to begin the event.

All 26 poet-athletes gave phenomenal performances. Their words captivated the audience, who reacted with smiles, laughs, or tears during the different poems. Each poem gave insight into a child’s life -- including their experience at school, their family, their imagination, or their dreams for the future. Their poems were deep, emotional, funny and inspiring.

After Xavier capped off the performances with his powerful school closing poem, all the students were treated like celebrities as they signed autographs for the guests. They also used their sharpies to sign each other’s shirts, leaving them with a memento of the SLAM! and of their new friends.

By that time, it was late and the poet-athletes were exhausted. However, the night was not over for Xavier. He had been asked to accompany America SCORES director Holly O’Donnell to New York's NBC studios to perform his poem and be interviewed on the Lawrence O'Donnell show.

Despite Xavier's exhaustion, his family and I traveled to the studio and waited until it was time for him to go on camera. Xavier was so poised and articulate on TV. He talked about his trip and his experience in DC SCORES, and performed his poem again. Then, finally, it was time to go back to the hotel for one last night with his roommates.

In the morning, we met to say goodbye to the whole group before getting on the train back home. The weekend was full of so many new and exciting experiences, and I think it is one that Skky and Xavier will never forget! They left feeling very proud of themselves, and ready to tell everyone at home about their trip to New York.

Students gain confidence to perform for others during Starbucks workshops

When Elementary School Program Coordinator Rachel Klepper visited Seaton Elementary School’s DC SCORES classroom in September, a 9-year-old student named Rubi C. kept to herself — refusing to read her poetry.

Fast forward to early November and a Starbucks on Capitol Hill, where one of 12 students has gotten up from their seat to read aloud a poem for peers and store patrons.

Rubi.

“When I went the last time, she wouldn’t share,” Klepper said afterward smiling.

Rubi isn’t the only Seaton student who has come out of their shell during the fall season — and especially at Starbucks that afternoon. One by one, each student put down their complimentary hot chocolate and strode to the middle of the upstairs room to read.

After each performance, the semicircle of students watching snapped their fingers and then answered two questions.

“What did you like about the poem?”

“Do you have any advice for next time?”

Perla C. got up and read “Recipe for Soccer.”

When asked for advice, one student said, “A little slower.” Another added, “A little louder.”

The next student read “Education,” a tremendous poem about the power of learning.

“That could be a solo!” Seaton writing coach Gloria Pieiro-Landing exclaimed. A student added that she liked “that when she was reading she looked up.”

When everyone was done reading and the room was full of good vibes and positive energy, Klepper asked each student to read a line from their poem combined with a movement — another form of self-expression.

“I’m a person,” a girl read while pointing at herself, “who will stand up for others!” she finished while stomping on the carpet.

“I’m a person who hates segregation,” another girl read while crossing one arm over the other and then pushing them outward.

Seaton is one of several schools that has visited a Starbucks with Klepper this fall to work on their performance technique and standing up in front of an audience. The workshops will undoubtedly help during the 16th Annual DC SCORES Poetry Slam! on Dec. 4-5 when students are tasked with reading memorized poems in front of hundreds of people.

As Seaton’s students walked out of Starbucks, they all thanked the store’s employees for hosting them and the free hot chocolates. Unbeknownst to the workers, the students had also gained something much more valuable than a beverage from the experience.

The confidence to perform in front of an audience.

“What I learned at Starbucks is that when we get to the Poetry Slam! we should not be nervous, and to memorize our poems,” fourth-grader Makiya G. said, “because if we have a book and we look down the person will not hear us.”

Starbucks is a long-time partner of DC SCORES and has hosted poetry reading workshops at its District locations for several years.