Youth Poetry Slam Launches Viewpoint Youth

by Jill Nagel
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Youth Poetry Slam Launches Viewpoint Youth

The Judges are ready and waiting

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘poetry’? Dusty old books? Bad rhymes and love letters? Stuffy rules and tedious texts? Do you think of old English sonnets instead of song lyrics?

Spoken Word is an art form like any other and continues to change with the times. It’s all about self-expression and more than just pacing and rhymes (see what I did there?).

Emotion, conviction, and dedication can take a simple phrase to a new level, and the participants of Viewpoint Youth’s Youth Poetry Slam proved it to a packed house last Friday night. Armed with passion, talent and attitude, these young poets tackled topics including suicide, domestic abuse, women’s rights, and cultural stereotypes, each touching on subjects and stories close to them. Every artist was given three minutes and ten seconds to perform his or her piece in front of a panel of judges. The highest and lowest scores were dropped and the top six performers were asked to do a second poem to decide the winners. The top six received prizes along with bragging rights. Youth Poetry Slam Launches Viewpoint Youth - Toronto

The Youth Poetry Slam acted as a launch for Viewpoint Youth, an organization created by Patrick De Belen, focused on building a community of strong, faithful, empowered and socially active youth in Toronto. Based out of Glenview Church, Viewpoint Youth hosts sports activities, workshops, and community-building events for young people, and dinner is always provided.
De Belen believes that, as youth, we have a responsibility to make the world a better place, through community and activism. “We’re referred to as youth well into our 20s now…young people are not the future. They are the present.” To hear more from mentor and Spoken Word artist, Patrick De Belen, check out the video below or visit the Fresh Print Youtube Channel for clips from the Youth Poetry Slam.

Along with a cash prize of $200, winner Saredo Mohammad was able to choose from a list of prizes meant to help her in her artistic journey, including designing her first poetry chapbook, recording in a professional studio or facilitate her first workshop. Runner up, Ray Abergas, was able to choose from a professional photoshoot by KPush Studios or business cards created by IanMadeIt. Vewpoint Youth not only put on a great show, but also encouraged their poets to learn and move forward. That sounds like the makings of a successful new program.  For more information and a list of all the winners visit Viewpoint Youth.

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