“So much in so little can be described in poetry,“ said Emily Brock, faculty librarian, at the poetry slam Thursday, April 23. The poetry slam is part of the annual library poetry celebrations that occur during the month of April. The library curates everything from professors reciting shakespeare to a “poet-tree,” which features miscellaneous student poetry.

Three students entered the poetry slam and they all placed: the first-place winner receives an all access pass to Bend Film Festival; the second-place winner receives a Kindle Fire; and the third-place winner receives a Central Oregon Community College embellished hydro flask.

First place went to Scott “Sage” Goodenough who recently finished a manuscript of over one hundred poems and is hoping to publish it soon. Goodenough currently is a high school resident teacher who primarily teaches poetry. Because Goodenough is not currently enrolled at COCC, he was given the third place prize, a hydro flask.

Second place went to Alaina Martinez, who described her feelings about entering the poetry slam as nervous. Martinez is currently enrolled at COCC and received the first-place prize.

“This is the first time I’ve ever done anything like this, but I saw the sign and decided to do it,” said Martinez.

Third place went to Jose Alvarez. He went into the slam hoping for the third-place prize and was “stoked” when he won it. Overall, Alvarez said it was a good experience and it was his first time reading poetry in front of people.

Brock announced to the small group of eight students that if the students wanted more events like this, she would make it happen. The small group of students attending the slam unanimously agreed that they wanted more poetry slams to happen.

Tina Hovekamp, library director, said that poetry slams are important because students share their personal creative experience and build community. The library faculty hopes to put on more events for students to express their creativity, such as poetry slams and open mic events.

Danielle Meyers | The Broadside

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