The twinkling lights cast an intimate glow, adding to the cozy ambiance of this temporary poetry cafe at North Salem Middle/High School. Anticipation hung in the air, and a hush fell over the audience as a seventh-grader confidently stepped up to the podium. With a brief giggle, then a calming deep breath, the student locked eyes with the audience and began reciting Langston Hughes's poem "I Am America."

For the fourth annual poetry slam, seventh graders took turns reciting works by renowned American poets like Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, and Maya Angelou. Some students wandered the room as they delivered lines, punctuating phrases with dramatic gestures and emphatic pauses, transporting their audience with evocative imagery and thoughtful inflections. After each performance, classmates showed their appreciation with enthusiastic finger snaps.

The event challenged students to learn how to speak effectively in public. "Part of the poetry slam experience is getting over the fear of getting up in front of the class and realizing that they can do this," said English teacher Maureen Mullaney. "It's hard to stand before your peers, especially at this age. I'm impressed that they took on the challenge and flourished."

The poetry slam culminated weeks of study as students analyzed their selected poems, researched the author's background, and explored figurative language and meaning before memorizing their poems.

"I walked around, then I paused to emphasize certain words, like 'abash,' so you think, 'What does that mean?' and then I'd continue walking," said Vincent, who found his Emily Dickinson poem felt different when recited aloud.

"They show each other support, too. When they return to their tables, you hear their friends whisper 'good job, good job,'" said Mullaney. "I love that they support each other and encourage each other to take their turn. It's peer pressure working positively."

"This assignment asked you to find your voice. One trick to doing that is to utilize someone else's words," said Superintendent Dr. Duncan Wilson, who addressed the students after joining the cafe audience. "Do not be afraid to have a voice and to keep finding that voice. The world needs another generation with a voice."