Poetry

2015 America Scores Poetry Slam

Party-Event-Photographer-New-York-805 Party-Event-Photographer-New-York-808 Party-Event-Photographer-New-York-807 Party-Event-Photographer-New-York-806 Ben Hider - Event and Portrait Photographer based in New York City and Westchester

It is with great pleasure that we present the 9th Annual National Poetry SLAM!, a fundraiser and a celebration of America SCORES students’ poetry and performance talents!

A red-carpet and star-studded event in New York City, the National Poetry SLAM! occurs each spring at venues such as HBO Studios, Harlem’s World Famous Apollo Theater and the New York Stock Exchange. Thousands of SCORES students take center stage at regional Poetry SLAM’s! for the opportunity to perform on a national stage—only 28 get the chance. With students performing their original poetry, the event showcases the power of America SCORES to improve lives while celebrating the achievements of these outstanding elementary school youth. At the event, America SCORES also honors a well-known person who embodies our mission in his or her life work, serves as a role model for the children and shines a spotlight on the organization. The SLAM! is attended by SCORES families, coaches and teachers from around the country, as well as representatives of top corporate, finance, sports/brands. In 2014, we had our first live webcast of the event, sponsored by News Corp.

Whether you’re attending, volunteering or supporting your local poet-athletes, we invite you to join with us to make the SLAM! even more successful this year!

Ben Hider - Event and Portrait Photographer based in New York City and Westchester

'This be the verse' - Philip Larkin

'This be the verse' They fuck you up, your mum and dad.

They may not mean to, but they do.

They fill you with the faults they had

And add some extra, just for you.

 

But they were fucked up in their turn

By fools in old-style hats and coats,

Who half the time were soppy-stern

And half at one another's throats.

 

Man hands on misery to man.

It deepens like a coastal shelf.

Get out as early as you can,

And don't have any kids yourself.

 

Philip Larkin