Poetry slam winner Alianora Reilly, left, with second-place winner Kate-Lynn Walsh, center, and the third-place finisher, Julia Rose Gottier.

TOLLAND – Teenaged writers will perform original poems and compete for prizes on Friday, April 26 when the Tolland Public Library holds its second poetry slam.
The Tolland Public Library Foundation is sponsoring the slam for students ages 14 to 18 as part of its “Year of the Young Adult” initiative. The competition will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in conference room A at Town Hall (across from the Hicks gym) at 21 Tolland Green.
The Foundation is sponsoring the slam with the help of the library staff; Ivy Morrison, head of the Tolland High School English department; high school librarian Cheryl Stevens and other teachers and students.
Students will be performing up to two three-minute poems, which will be judged by a panel that will include THS Assistant Principal Margot Martello; THS senior Amanda Danielson; young adult/children’s librarian Ginny Brousseau; library assistant Irene Pudelkiewicz and Foundation Secretary Kate Farrish. A top prize of a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card and other prizes will be awarded.
The slam will be hosted by James MacArthur, a Tolland High English teacher.
Entry forms are available at the public library, the high school library and from any THS English teacher. Students must return the forms to one of the same places by Monday, April 22.
Poets must bring five copies of each of their poems to the public library by Wednesday, April 24 for the judges.
The slam is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register, please call the library at 860-871-3620.