The Bellerose Poetry Slam Team was the squad to beat at Can You Hear Me Now, the province’s major poetry slam competition for high school students.
And they did not disappoint. The six-person team returned home with a first-place ranking, a 20 lb. trophy and a $250 cheque.
“They were over the moon – so emotional, so excited. After it was all over, we went for dinner at the Spaghetti Factory,” said English teacher/slam coach Karen May Healey.
Both confident and nervous, the team arrived at Calgary’s Ernest Manning High School on May 13 for a two-day event.
After recovering from a flat tire on the Queen Elizabeth II highway the team was determined to deliver its best. Fortunately, upon entering the final bout, they drew the last slot.
Despite the pressure cooker round Julia Sorensen carried the evening by performing Eulogy for Poems, a poem that speaks on behalf of minorities that have no voice. The poem’s power came from using effective pauses to create their silent voices said Healey.
However, she explained that it was the semi-final bout that determined the team’s success. In that round, three Grade 12 students – Sorensen, Aimee Rheaume and Kris Sinding – performed Queens, a stinging metaphor between wasps and relationships.
“That one pulled us out of the basement. If it wasn’t for the power of that poem, we might not have won. That was the pivotal point. Their show was show stopping. No other group could touch us because it was the best poem.”
The other three poets sharing fist bumps and high-fives were Grade 11 students Micheal Jensen and Kiara Roberts as well as Grade 10 student Callum Williamson.
The faceoff boasted 18 teams primarily from southern Alberta, 100 poets and many well-orchestrated poems. The Bellerose team was the most northerly group, however both Harry Ainley High School and Strathcona Composite High also sent representatives.
“All the poems were good. We were just a little more polished, the writing was excellent and we had powerful performances.”
Healey added that the Bellerose team has existed for four years and received a great deal of support from the St. Albert Public Library. In addition they perform at major events such as Amplify Festival, the Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts and open mikes through Good Earth Coffeehouse.
“Last year they wrote all summer and on the first day of school, they came up and asked ‘when do we meet?’ They’ve been so inspiring because they’ve been so committed.”
Bolstered by their success, the novice poets arrived at school Monday morning with a fresh batch of poetry.
“I couldn’t be prouder of them and the amount of hours they put into their work. It’s quite satisfying to see everything come to fruition. It’s nice to see them have a voice and people are listening to them. That’s very empowering.”
