Mass Poets Really ‘Louder Than a Bomb!’

By Haley Tran

Dorchester, MA-“Listen to the poem!” Dissatisfaction roars throughout the crowd at every slam… if they don’t like the judgement of a performance.

Louder Than a Bomb, held this year on May 6, 2016,  is the biggest poetry slam and festival in Massachusetts, as well as the US.  Louder Than a Bomb was founded in Chicago, but has progressively spread across the nation.

A poetry slam offers a forum for poets to share the spoken word genre, a public forum for free verse.  

The audience claps, snaps, and yells out support when they hear a line that really touches them.

In the past month, Louder Than a Bomb has gathered together 42 schools in the region with around 300 young voices to share their story.

On May 6th, four teams were the spotlight in Strand Theatre: Freeverse!, Codman Academy, Urban Ego, and Indigo Poets Society took the Finals Stage by storm.

Each team was competing for the opportunity to be able to be put on a team for the international slam, Brave New Voices in Washington, D.C. on July 12-16. http://youthspeaks.org/bravenewvoices/

Other than that, Louder Than A Bomb is a large showcase of the best of the best slam teams in Massachusetts this year.

From fourth to first place: Freeverse!, Codman, Indigo Poet Society, and Urban Ego. Every poet was fantastic and unique in their own way despite their ranks in the competition.

The scores and numbers aren’t the point; the point is the poetry!

Slams are often criticized for harsh scrutiny and possible discouragement by the possibility of low scores, but we clearly emphasize how important poetry is and not the points.

Louder Than a Bomb is an amazing experience to be a part of regardless of your status as a writer or not.

Poets in this field are innovative and not just writers, but performers and advocates for a fresh outlet to share stories.

We are more than just talented people who can form a metaphor: we are a tight-knit community built upon love and support. There is no community more welcoming and radiant than the ones found within spoken word.

Anyone who is even the slightest bit interested should take no hesitation in attending a local slam or open mic. Even if you can’t write, it is a wonderful sight to witness.

 

Poems of Politics, Performance at ‘Louder than a Bomb’

By Haley Tran

Lowell, Massachusetts- Two in the world of spoken word, the groups Codman and Freeverse,  performed poems soaked with undertones of suffering and emotion on May 6 at the biggest poetry slam and festival in Massachusetts called Louder Than a Bomb.

Freeverse took the personas of mothers from the Holocaust and Syrian refugee crisis and used them to convey the genocidal tones experienced by Syrians today.

The performance was something like the emotional side of political science.

Codman created a catchy chant and spoke on racist undertones given off by federal and authoritarian positions.

The poems were not exclusively political.

Spoken word is an artistic expression open to such a broad audience that anybody could enjoy watching a slam.

One poet from the group Urban Ego used body movement and personalities in his slam.

Urban Ego’s rep had a rather interesting and entertaining poem to watch, incorporating dance and various personas of the people around him.

My favorite pieces of the night were group pieces by Codman and Freeverse as well as by Urban Ego.

Freeverse took the personas of mothers from the Holocaust and Syrian refugee crisis and used them to convey the genocidal tones given to Syrians today.

Summer Concert Survival Guide

By Willow Kelley

Lowell, MA – The summer concert season returns this month, and here are reminders to help the more experienced fan thrive and the less experienced concert goer survive.

Paramore will play Boston this summer.

Almost everyone on the face of the earth enjoys live music.  A live music concert experience has no comparison.  However, not everyone understands how much planning is actually necessary for the ultimate concert experience.   Avid concert goers, like myself, have learned to take every precaution, know every venue. Shows Not to Miss at Local Venues

The entire process starts way before the day of the concert in question. Buying tickets is an important step to reduce anxiety as the day approaches. The sooner, the better.  No one wants a feeling of helplessness that comes with not knowing if you can get a last minute ticket at a reasonable price.  If you know your favorite musician is going on tour, try your best to save the money for a ticket. You’ll feel better knowing you have your tickets in advance. Read More

Shows Not to Miss at Local Venues

SUMMER VENUES AND SHOWS

Compiled by Willow Kelley

Shows in New England this summer that you may want to apply my ideas and tips to include:

• PVRIS North American Tour on June 9th and 10th at Royale in Boston, MA
•  PVRIS Free Show at City Hall Plaza on July 21st in Boston, MA.

• Twenty One Pilots Emotional Roadshow June 14th and 15th at the Agganis Arena in Brookline, MA

• The Neighbourhood US Tour June 14th at the Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, RI

• Pierce the Veil Misadventures Tour on June 14th at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston, MA.

• Halsey Badlands Tour June 18th at the Agganis Arena in Brookline, MA

• Warped Tour 2016 July 13th at Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA.

Civics Day results in LHS successes

By ONYEAMAECHI ONYENWE AND Tommy Machado

<p><a href=”https://vimeo.com/171074700″>Generation Citizen 2016</a> from <a href=”https://vimeo.com/user48151229″>Matthew Brennan</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>

LHS students present their civics projects at the State House for Generation Citizen and Civics Day.

 

Help for Depression in High School

High School Students Commonly Encounter Depressive Symptoms

Written By Esther Kimani

Narrated by Andrea Muriuki and Esther Kimani

One LHS reporter describes symptoms of depression with the help of an LHS social worker.  See more about peer mentoring and support at the following link, www.LHSPals.weebly.com

 

Motivations of World Migration

ELL Students from Ms. Lander’s Class Share Personal Stories

By Cornell Grinkley

<p><a href=”https://vimeo.com/170906805″>Motivations of World Migration</a> from <a href=”https://vimeo.com/user48151229″>Matthew Brennan</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>

ELL students from Ms. Lander’s History class recorded their oral histories and shared their motivations to migrate across the globe.

LHS Senior Business Interest

By Trina Thach

Lowell, MA – One LHS student who played varsity basketball four years for the Red Raiders will continue his studies at Middlesex Community College (MCC) this September.

Aluouscious Wennah, who played four years as a starting guard for the Red Raiders, will focus on business marketing at MCC.

Wennah says that his greatest experience was being a leader on the basketball team for LHS.

During his final season with the Red Raiders  the team reached the semi-finals in the MIAA Division I North Basketball Tournament.  

Wennah says ‘don’t slack’ for those who are still in high school or about to enter high school.

Listen to more of Aluouscious Wennah’s reflections at this link.

 

Class of 2016 Graduates at Tsongas

Photo by Thomas Thorton                                                                                                                                                          Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Class of 2016 Graduates.

Liberian graduate LHS

Senior Profile: Amanda Kennedy

By Prince Moye

Lowell, MA- An LHS student, originally from Africa, who graduated from Lowell High School on June 8th, looks forward to university and the opportunities beyond.

Amanda Kennedy was born in the Republic of Liberia and she came to the United States at the age of 16.

Amanda plans on attending University of Massachusetts at Lowell this fall..

Amanda also played junior varsity soccer for Lowell High School.  

As a member of the Black Unity Club at LHS she understands the importance of community and social action.

 Black Unity took action on the use of the ‘N’ word at the school through a poster campaign.  It also offers an African dance performance to introduce African culture to the public.

Amanda said, one of her most important accomplishments is being a role model to her littlesister.

Kennedy’s mom is also a big influence in her life.

She said growing up living with a single mom who does everything for her and makes sacrifices has helped her keep minor problems in perspective.

She intends to participate in similar social club as LHS’s Black Unity Club while  at UML.