Students who participated in the Louder Than A Bomb (LTAB) Poetry Spoken Word Competition at Nova Southeastern University were recognized at the school board meeting on April 28, 2015. LTAB was founded on a student-centered, educational philosophy geared toward young people ages 13-19. The “trick of the poetry slam is to use the guise of competition to attract interest in the telling of stories through the written word.” The most critical component of LTAB is the year-around, meaningful instruction inside the classroom with teachers who create and facilitate a safe space for individual and collective self-expression. LTAB bridges gaps between community borders and introduces teens who would not otherwise meet. It inverts the traditional educational paradigm by asking students what they think, see, and experience in their words, often re-engaging students. LTAB provides students with a platform for their voices to be heard. These students realize the strength they possess and are validated through the stories they tell and experiences they share.
Fort Pierce Central High School team placed 2nd in the finals. Members of this team were Katie Thompson, Kyle Scott, Darnel Medor, Antravious Soleyn, Taylor Gibbons, Dorrian Bridges and Fvshivn Bhadu. St. Lucie West Centennial High School team placed 12th in group competition. Members of this team were Dustin Ahmad-Kahn, Katy Mitchem, Taylor Ratti, Renee Shirley, and Dustin Snyders. Dustin Snyders was also a finalist for individual finals. Congratulations!