GRAHAMSVILLE – On March 26, the fifteenth annual 8th Grade Poetry Slam took place at Tri-Valley Central School. Forty-one 8th grade students took to the stage to compete in the event. The evening event was watched by a crowd made up of parents, students, teachers, staff and administrators.

A large part of a Poetry Slam is the performance aspect, and the students certainly didn’t disappoint. Each student, or group of students, memorized an originally written poem and then delivered the poem with their best sense of emotion and theatrics. The audience showed their appreciation by responding to several of the poems with applause and laughter. But perhaps the best part of the night was witnessing the kids come together as one to support and encourage each other throughout the event.

Richard Zheliazouski was crowned 2025 Poetry Slam champion for his poem “Bees.” Anthony Jacobs, Jr. was the runner-up with his poem “Poem (I Have No) Ideas.” Sam Carroll, Emily Hadden, and Justice Whitted finished in third place with their poem “Why Worry?” Finally, Karin Johnson and Samiyah Allen and their poem “Kariyah” and Brea Sheeley and her poem “One Day” shared the Performance Award.

The event was hosted by 9th grade students Gage Houghtaling and Jiya Patel, last year’s Performance Award winners. Mr. Nick Pacht—Tri-Valley Math Teacher—served as the event’s guest poet. He performed his poem titled “Math Test.”

Judges for the Poetry Slam included 2024 Poetry Slam 3rd Place finishers, Matthew Cuji Angamarca and Matthew Ortiz Jimenez; 2024 Poetry Slam 2nd Place finisher, Elle Stanley; 2024 Poetry Slam Champions Avery Carrier, Grace Nichols, and Abby Rusin; 2023 Poetry Slam Champion Hiram Roman; and 2021 Poetry Slam Champion Jenna Carmody.

The Tri-Valley Annual Poetry Slam was organized by 8th grade ELA teacher Matt Haynes and 8th grade special education teacher Deb Swett.

Overall, the event was a huge success and it couldn’t have brought more pride to all of those involved. Congratulations again to all of the participating 8th graders—hopefully it’s something they won’t soon forget!