April 29, 2022 -- April is National Poetry Month, and to celebrate, Columbus City Schools (CCS) is presenting a Poetry Showcase this weekend featuring original poems from students and educators. The Poetry Showcase will be held Saturday, April 30, from 6 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Eastmoor Academy. The event this year is slightly different from the CCS Poetry Slam that the district held in previous years.

“We are having the Showcase instead of a Poetry Slam this year because many schools needed a rebuilding year,” said Cala Mae Phillips, Secondary (6-12) English Curriculum Coordinator. “Due to health and safety concerns because of the global pandemic, the Poetry Slam was canceled for two years. Schools need some time to rebuild their poetry teams.”

Students in grades 6-12 and educators are eligible to participate in the family-friendly CCS Poetry Showcase. Poems must be original, which is no problem for Centennial tenth grader Mariam Seck.

“I love writing poetry because I feel my voice is important as a young black female, and I need to share it with the world,” said Said. “I often say that I speak for those who can’t speak up.”

Seck started writing short novels and stories in third grade. By fifth grade, she started writing poetry, something she says she only did for fun. However, expressing herself through words is her passion. Seck participated in an open mic poetry event this week before the Mayhem Poets free performance at the Lincoln Theater. Seck was one of several local poets, ages 13 through 22, that shared poems based on the theme of “imagining a world without injustice.” Click HERE to see Marian Seck’s poetry presentation at the Lincoln Theater.

Several CCS students and educators from nearly a dozen schools are preparing to participate in the Poetry Showcase at Eastmoor Academy this weekend. The event is free and open to the public. Doors open just before 6.

What better way to celebrate National Poetry Month in April?