Poetry Slams for Teens

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

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.

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 Zack LaSala

Poet Jen Kiely

Poet Jen Kiely

 

Poet Molly Vigeant

Poet Molly Vigeant

Poet Antonio Campellli

Poet Antonio Campellli