The Spoken Word Club is a group of PHS students that expresses its ideas through performing poetry instead of just writing it.

“The club was spearheaded by me and Sarah Stuetz this year,” junior Tom Jara said. “Back when me and Sarah were in eighth grade, Mr. White had a public speaking class and one of the events was slam poetry, and our talent really showed through with that.”

His appreciation for slam poetry led to the creation of the Spoken Word Club this year, Jara said.

“The definition of slam poetry is a really fluid one, but it really comes down to any writing that is meant to be spoken,” Jara said. “Our club is open and really welcomes anything.”

Jara said that slam poetry often deals with self-reflection and discovery, but can also reach into political activism,.

“If you had a bad day or feel strongly about a topic, then you can just write and perform a poem,” Jara said.

Junior Sarah Stuetz also agrees that slam poetry is largely about self-expression.

“I think it’s a prevalent form of expression that isn’t as popular in Piedmont,” Stuetz said.

Performing slam poetry is just as important as actually writing the poem, Stuetz said.

“It’s meant to be heard rather than read,” Stuetz said. “You could lose a lot but also gain a lot by performing it rather than just writing it down.”

Slam poetry also illustrates the strengths and weaknesses of herself as a person, Stuetz said.

“It gives you a holistic view of your talents and capabilities,” Stuetz said.

Other students also found a liking for slam poetry through PMS public speacking teacher John White’s seventh grade class.

“I used to only write poetry, but then I learned about slam poetry in seventh grade in Mr. White’s class,” Sophomore Krysia Olszewska said. “Similar to other people in the club, I joined after Mr. White introduced it to me.”

Slam poetry allows her to improve her own writing as well as collaborate with others on the performance, Olszewska said.

“I find it interesting because it mixes together poetry and acting,” Olszewska said.

The Spoken Word Club meets every Tuesday and Friday lunches in the Ceramics room.

Currently, the slam poets are preparing for a performance at Piedmont Appreciating Diversity’s annual Community Night at 8:00 p.m. on April 30.  It will take place at Yoshi’s and will feature students in both the PHS Jazz Band and Spoken Word Club. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students.