Maine East to host Poetry Slam: 'Louder Than a Lawnmower'

The name of the event itself is poetic, but there's more: Maine East High School will host a suburban poetry slam, called "Louder Than a Lawnmower" from 7-9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec.16.

The suburban slam's name is derived from the Chicago Youth poetry slam, which is called "Louder Than a Bomb." Founders of the Chicago Youth slam chose the name back in 2001, because they believed that the voice of youth is stronger and more powerful than any weapon.

Maine East and Def Jam Poet Kevin Coval will host the Dec. 16 competition, an Olympic style event where poets are judged one to 10 based on the content of the poem and the performance. The highest scores win. In a team slam, like the one East is having, poets come together and write pieces to compete against other teams.

East English teacher and sponsor Eric Coval explains, "We encourage the mantra, 'The point is not the point the point is the poetry.' We create these spaces for kids to come together and share their stories, whether brutal or beautiful."

East team members include Cia Mathew, Isabel Kesheshian, Jaime Espinoza, Dana Castillo, and Mary Caruvana. Also participating in the Dec.16 slam are Wheeling, Niles West, Leyden and Joliet high schools, and other individual poets. The event will take place in Room 230. Maine East High School is located at 2601 West Dempster Street in Park Ridge.