2018 Poetry Slam
When a few poets dropped out of the annual poetry slam Thursday, host James MacArthur turned the event into a lively conversation with our two poets, Sara Carey, a freshman at Tolland High School, and Abhay Kohli, an 8th grader at Tolland Middle School, about what inspires them. The poets then performed their work, and it turned into a special evening. The Tolland Public Library Foundation also took the opportunity to honor Ginny Brousseau, the young adult/children’s librarian, who is retiring later this month. We thank her for her support of the poetry slam and other Foundation programs.
Host James MacArthur holds a conversation with poets Sara Carey and Abhay Kohli
2018 Poets Sara Carey and Abhay Kohli
Poet Sara Carey, left, with TPLF President Linda Byam and poet Abhay Kohli
2017 Poetry Slam
Sara Carey of Tolland, winner of the 2017 Poetry Slam, with host James MacArthur
The poets from the 2017 poetry slam
Poetry Slams from Previous Years
On May 17, 2013, the Foundation held its second poetry slam for teens.
Eight teens took part. It was won by Julia Alexander of Somers High School, and Tolland High School senior Ariel Nadeau came in second. Kaitie Dilan, a THS freshman, took third place.
The 2013 Tolland poetry slam poets
The E.O.Smith poets with their poetry club advisor Liza Escott
The winners, left to right: second-place, Sonika Kohli; winner Sara Carey, and third place, Rachel Horowitz-Benoit
The judges conferred
Host James MacArthur with second-place winner Rachel Horowitz-Benoit
Scorekeeper Jan Rubino and timekeeper Cliff Vachon of the Tolland Public Library Foundation board of directors
Rachel Horowitz-Benoit of E.O. Smith High School
Zoe Livingston of Tolland High School
Sara Carey from Tolland Middle School
Mary Singer from Tolland High School
Sonika Kohli from Tolland High School
Abby Lateer from Tolland High School
Uno Hills from E.O. Smith High School
Eliza Browning from Tolland High School
Aliza Pelto from E.O.Smith High School
The 2016 poetry slam winners were, left to right, third place, Hannah Montgomery of Mansfield; second place, Natalie Wyse of Tolland, and first place, Aliza Pelto of Mansfield.
As part of its “Year of the Young Adult” initiative, the Foundation held its first poetry slam in April 2012, in which 20 teens from Tolland competed for prizes. The event was so popular that it was repeated in May 2013.
Alianora Reilly, winner of the first TPLF poetry slam, in April 2012
Poetry slam winner Alianora Reilly, left, with second-place winner Kate-Lynn Walsh, center, and the third-place finisher, Julia Rose Gottier.
Poet Zack LaSala
Poet Jen Kiely
Poet Molly Vigeant
Poet Antonio Campellli