Teen Poets Competing in Tolland Poetry Slam

     TOLLAND – Teenaged writers will perform original poems and compete for prizes on Thursday, April 3 when the Tolland Public Library holds its third poetry slam.
     The Tolland Public Library Foundation is sponsoring the slam for students aged 12 to 18 as part of its Young Adult initiative. The competition will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in conference room A at town hall (across from the Hicks gym) at 21 Tolland Green.
    Preference will be given to Tolland residents, but students from other towns can participate if space permits.
    Poetry slams were born in Chicago in 1986 to encourage and celebrate the art of performance poetry.
     The Foundation is sponsoring the slam with the help of the library staff, Ivy Morrison, head of the Tolland High School English department, and other teachers and students. 
     Students will be performing up to two three-minute poems, which will be judged by a panel that will include THS Assistant Principal Margot Martello; THS senior Veronica Spadaro; Tolland Public Library’s young adult/children’s librarian Ginny Brousseau; Foundation President Linda Byam and Foundation Secretary Kate Farrish. A top prize of a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card and other prizes will be awarded.
     The slam will be hosted by James MacArthur, a Tolland High English teacher. 
     Entry forms are available at the public library, the high school library and from any THS English teacher. Students must return the forms to one of the same places by Monday, March 31.
     Poets must bring five copies of both of their poems to the public library by Wednesday, April 2 for the judges.
    The slam is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register, call the library at 860-871-3620.