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Eastmoor Academy, Ridgeview Middle Crowned Winners of 13th Annual CCS District Poetry Slam

centennial poetry meta

April 29, 2024 —The Columbus City Schools (CCS) District Poetry Slam is an opportunity for poets to perform their poems inside and outside the classroom. On Saturday, April 7th, middle and high school students assembled at Eastmoor Academy for the 13th Annual CCS District Poetry Slam, and in front of them, the live audience reacted to their work.

High school students from Centennial, Columbus Africentric Early College, Columbus Alternative, Columbus Online Academy, Eastmoor Academy, Northland, and West High Schools participated in this year's Slam.

Middle school students from Columbus Africentric, Columbus Gifted Academy, Dominion, and Ridgeview Middle Schools participated in the middle school division of the event.

During the Slam competition, poets performed one individual poem without props, costumes, instruments, or music. Students were also encouraged to perform a group poem. For a complete list of the Poetry Slam's rules and regulations, please click here.

At the end of the day, medals were awarded to the top three middle/high school teams, the top three middle/high school poets, the winning high school group poem, and the spirit of the slam for the middle/high division. 

Congratulations to the following teams/poets who competed in the 2024 CCS District Poetry Slam.

WINNING HIGH SCHOOLS

First Place: Eastmoor Academy: “Sandy Cox” Memorial Trophy

Second Place: Centennial High School

Third Place: Northland High School

eastmoor poetry students

WINNING HIGH SCHOOL POETS

First Place: Houley Koundouru (Columbus Alternative High School)

Second Place: Alexis Mitchell (Eastmoor Academy)

Third Place: Sumaya Elmi (Centennial High School)

high school poets

WINNING HIGH SCHOOL GROUP POEM

Centennial High School

centennial poetry

SPIRIT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL SLAM

Quinn Abdallah (Northland High School)

spirit slam

WINNING MIDDLE SCHOOLS

First Place: Ridgeview Middle School

Second Place: Columbus Gifted Academy

Third Place: Dominion Middle School

ridgeview poetry

WINNING MIDDLE SCHOOL POETS

First Place: Chase Charles (Columbus Gifted Academy)

Second Place: Warner (Columbus Gifted Academy)

Third Place: Natalie Schaul (Dominion Middle School)

middle school poets

SPIRIT OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL SLAM

Gabriel Santiago-Sayer (Columbus Gifted Academy)

spirit slam


Power of One

Priority 1 - Whole Child FocusedPriority 2 - Equitable Opportunities for AllPriority 3 - Strong Learning Communities in Every RegionPriority 4 - Authentic EngagementPortrait Attribute 1 - AdaptabilityPortrait Attribute 2 - CommunicationPortrait Attribute 3 - CreativityPortrait Attribute 4 - Critical ThinkingPortrait Attribute 5 - Global EmpathyPortrait Attribute 6 - Technology