I’m sure every single LM student has been faced with this task in English class before: a short story or poem set on your desk with the directive to “analyze it with whatever time remains in class.” Analyzing literary works with a pen isn’t a useless task, but somewhat incomplete. Stories are meant to be read out loud, brought to life by the power of a human voice. We are not made of ink and paper, after all. And that is the concept behind story slams: spreading your message and your story with the power of nothing but your words and voice. And reading your own creation is very much not the same beast as an in-class lesson. You’re faced not only with the nerves of stage fright, but with the terror of having to speak your own thoughts aloud.
“You can make yourself look like a rockstar on paper,” said English teacher and literacy specialist Sheila Marion, co-sponsor of the student-led opportunity, “but the spoken component is crucial.” In a world rapidly changing with technological advancements like AI, it’s important for students to be “rewarded for their creativity and vulnerability.”
On December 12, hidden away behind the inconspicuous doors of the LGI, a group of students and teachers gathered to listen. Hosted by LM Page Turners, a club dedicated to nurturing a love of literature in students, the event aimed to create a safe space for students. “We aim to foster fresh talent and creativity,” said Florian Shah ’26, one of the club’s officers and a lead organizer for the event. With a panel of judges sitting at the front of the room, there was also an incentive for participation.
“There was a vetting process before the event, of course, and we offered opportunities for students to practice beforehand,” detailed Marion.
The topics covered ranged greatly from serious dilemmas about the expression of grief in the modern age to the tumultuous series of emotions that every high schooler knows well. Some performances weren’t even written works. In fact, there were multiple musical entries. For instance, Amit Brenner ’26 sat down in front of the auditorium and played multiple ballads including “Stella by Starlight” using a shoebox.
The Audience Choice award went to Guia Betancourt ’28 and Amelia Candeub ’26 for their innovative recitation of “I’m Just Ken.” The Excellence in Overall Story award went to Elliot Campbell ’29 and the Excellence in Humor to Sareena Gurra ’27 for her statement piece on TikTok humor. Excellence in Emotional Impact was awarded to Jordan Chestnut ’27, Excellence in Poetry was awarded to Izzy Candeub ’28 for their original poetry, Musical Excellence was awarded to Benjamin Bancoff ’26 for his guitar rendition of “Eruption” by Van Halen, and the Best Poem was awarded to Mr. Mays.
Events like the Page Turners’ annual Story Slam can be invaluable tools, for some artists, serving as a testing ground for their art. For example, Shah’s original work, “Failure Sonnet,” ended up winning an international award.
“This was a really fun event and we hope to keep it going,” said Rhys Kling ’26, another Page Turners’ officer. In fact, the Page Turners are planning to host another Story Slam in April and in “a more intimate setting like the black box.” Hopefully such opportunities for creative expression will continue. In a school so focused on academic perfection, there is a need for a space where students can be imperfect.
