AN EVENING OF YOUTH SPOKEN WORD POETRY
The culmination of Get Lit’s in-school program is the annual Classic Slam — one of the largest youth Spoken Word events in the country. It’s a youthful celebration of fire and feeling, with fresh perspectives that demonstrate storytelling at the highest level.
Last week, hundreds of students from all over LA County attended the 13th annual Classic Slam packed with powerful poems, impromptu dance parties, and an unshakeable sense of community. Together, we witnessed young creatives connect, unleash their truth, and spread their wings in real time, building courage and confidence in a celebratory Spoken Word extravaganza.
From LATC to the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, brave youth poets took the stage to perform Classic and original poetry before an audience of their peers and an esteemed panel of judges. Met with claps, snaps, chants, and neon signs that could outshine ANY score, we know the point is not the points—the point IS the poetry. Congratulations to all the poets and coaches for their spectacular work, you are the heart and soul of the Classic Slam!
Without further ado, our 13th annual Classic Slam champions…
Congratulations Mark Keppel High School (coached by Dottie Burkhart and Nico Armendariz) AND Venice High School (coached by Hazel Kight Witham and Samantha Cline) who made Classic Slam history with the first ever TIE! Go in, poets!!
Congratulations to our middle school slam champions GALA Middle (coached by Jessica Valera and Ella Small) for their win!!
Congratulations to Isabella Michaels from Hamilton High School (coached by Susan Requa) who rocked the stage with her poem “The Math Lessons That You’ll Use for The Rest of Your Life” which was the highest scoring poem of the night!!
It wouldn’t be the Classic Slam without all of you
Our gratitude to the judges, attendees, volunteers, teaching artists, staff, and students who spilled their hearts on stage and the incredible coaches who guided them through the process. Thank YOU for your year-round support of Get Lit. It is because of you we are able to make this magical event happen.
Support GetLit: https://www.getlit.org/donate
We are forever grateful.
P.S. Educators: Join the magic next year. Bring Get Lit to your school.
