NorthGate College understands the importance of communication and expression, and thus saw it fitting to introduce yet another avenue to creatively foster these skills. This academic year, the English Department decided to introduce Spoken Word to the College through its inaugural Spoken Word Competition. Joshua Thomas, past Head Boy of NGC and Spoken Word aficionado, was invited to conduct a workshop for the students who expressed an interest. This caused what had been sub-surface excitement to bubble forth as the students who attended wrote, and presented original pieces, many for the very first time.
On Friday October 14, a total of twenty-one students took centre stage. The students rose to the occasion and produced an excellent standard of Spoken Word poetry. One of the performers declared, “We are the foundation for a new generation, so shine bright like a new constellation!” Another stated, “Each race contributes their value in this big pot of callaloo.” So many different issues were addressed with great passion and confidence.
It was very clear that the values of NGC are embedded in the students as they wove these pearls of wisdom in their writings and offered well calculated thoughts with humor, play on words, and performance richness. The thought-provoking pieces filled with vivid imagery, repetition and alliterations reflected character and deep thought about current issues. It was certainly “Lucozade for the mind…” as was said by another performer.
We commend the students for standing in front of their peers to share their inner most thoughts and musings. They received strong support from their colleagues and teachers who appreciated the weighty, clever and witty offerings.
We congratulate our lower and upper school Spoken Word Champions:
- Lower school – 1st place Tamir Youssef, 2nd place (team) Kristoff St. Bernard, Rowan King and Ageyi Dacon.
- Upper School – 1st place Zachery Joel, 2nd place Brandon Wooding, 3rd place Sebastian Rudden