BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - ISLAND XPRESSIONS will be hosting their first outreach initiative dubbed ‘Project Poetry’, which will see the finals at the Basseterre High School Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 19.
The project was launched in February 2010 and students from various high schools had submitted entries, which were judged on the strongest content. The top eight performers were then chosen and the one with the best performance and content from each school moved on to participate in the finals.
According to Samal Duggins, President and founder of Island Xpressions, the objective of Project Poetry is to foster poetic talents in youths. Firstly, through mentoring and secondly by encouraging independent thought, thus forcing participants to address issues of individual, societal or wider relevance.
Thirdly, it is to expose students to an environment where poetry is welcomed and appreciated, thereby providing an appropriate platform for their artistic and emotional expression. The fourth objective is to boost self-confidence in young writers who are at times shy and introverted, while the fifth one is to showcase talents of the Federation’s youth to the general public.
The finalists are Wricherley Gumbs of Washington Archibald High, Kimi-Lee Knight of Basseterre High, Cheyanna Quinlan of St. Theresa’s Convent High, Merv-Ann Thompson of Verchild’s High and Serena Clarke of Charlestown High School.
Each finalist will perform two poems; one of their choice and the other surrounding the theme ‘Why Young People Should Be Heard’.
The winner will receive a laptop, compliments TDC, and two glass plaques; one for themselves and the other for the school with their winning poem embedded on it. The other participants will receive a phone, compliments Lime, and other undisclosed prizes.
Duggins said he has hopes of making this an annual event, as it is clear that many youths were not taught appropriate ways of expressing their emotions. “Therefore, as the acronym states - Project POETRY - it is about ‘Putting Our Energy Toward Refocusing Youth’. The intention is to introduce or reintroduce poetry as an alternative form of expression to the normal unacceptable methods like acting out,” Duggins explained.
