ATA poet-athletes take center stage at DC SCORES Soccer Ball

When the Arts & Technology Academy DC SCORES poets took the stage Wednesday night, a crowd of approximately 300 mingling, talkative guests became deadly silent -- just like that.

The students, decked out in their Poetry Slam! outfits, garnered great respect from those in attendance at the DC SCORES Soccer Ball, and they didn't disappoint with a performance as rousing as the one that won them their second consecutive Eastside Slam! in December.

The spoken-word performance was the highlight of the Soccer Ball, which was held in Union Station's East Hall for the first time. With Comcast SportsNet's Ivan Carter emceeing, guests enjoyed food and drinks, bid on a large host of silent auction items and in the process supported DC SCORES programming and 700 students such as those in the group from ATA.

The students had a great time posing for pictures, tasting all the appetizers, and even hanging out with D.C. United players who were in attendance -- Bryan Namoff, Bill Hamid and Lyle Adams came out to support DC SCORES, even as they prepare for their season opener Saturday. They weren't the only athletes on hand, however. Brittany Bock, Alex Singer and Allie Long of the Washington Freedom represented women's professional soccer at the ball.

The athletes were just a few of the well-known Washingtonians in attendance, but the main show belonged to the ATA poets who hung around until 9 p.m. to perform the same trio of poems that rocked the auditorium at Kelly Miller Middle School nearly four months ago.

We are very thankful to everyone who attended or helped out at the DC SCORES Soccer Ball, and in case you missed it, below are two of the ATA poems that had 300 guests silently captivated -- and then roaring in applause.

I am very angry

I’m so very angry…my best friend just got shot

because of this emotion my stomach is all tied up in knots

The evening news said his name

but there was no one to blame

You shot a person that was different from the rest…. he planned for a career and unlimited success

Now, I’m left behind to cope with this nonsense and mess

I won’t avenge his death

because you know violence is a vicious cycle that only repeats itself

His mom and dad are so, so mad

because he was all they had

Black on black violence has got to stop

or else…..

more of our young brothers and sisters will continue to get popped

What happens to a child deferred?

They leave behind friends, family, and a promising life

No time to grow old or experience strife

I JUST WANT TO EXPLODE!

Stop the Violence

ATA SCORES had to stay inside

because of the violence that happened outside

It isn’t fair that we couldn’t have our game

Man oh man…the violence, what a shame!

STOP THE VIOLENCE…SPEAK UP, DON’T BE SILENT, STOP THE VIOLENCE

There are innocent children dying

and way too many parents crying

We’re tired of suffering in silence

How can we stop the violence?

STOP THE VIOLENCE…SPEAK UP, DON’T BE SILENT, STOP THE VIOLENCE

We want to hear the sounds of soccer playing and children’s laughter

rather than guns spraying in our community

What happened to the love and unity?

Black on black crime is a waste of our time

Let’s stop… and focus on educating our minds!

It is our prayer that we will stop the violence

Not tomorrow

Not next week

Today….Right Now

STOP THE VIOLENCE…SPEAK UP, DON’T BE SILENT, STOP THE VIOLENCE!