Rochester Area Middle School Students Rhyme and Rap at Poetry Jam

Rochester middle school students captivated the audience Thursday evening at their Poetry Jam, where they rhymed, rapped and read insightful verses.

Poet Sara Holbrook will be visiting for a week starting May 2 at West Middle School, and in anticipation of her arrival, Rochester area middle school media specialists organized a Poetry Jam in which students could participate.

Students recited their own poetry, verses from songs and famous poems in front of a large audience in the Harrison Room of the Rochester Community Schools administrative building. All four Rochester area middle schools participated in the event.

“I hope we can continue to grow this event," said Hart Middle School Media Specialist Katie Allen. "I think it would be a fun and natural extension of poetry month."

Allen said they were satisfied with the number of students who decided to participate and hope to make the Poetry Jam an annual event. She said another Poetry Jam took place two years ago, also when Holbrook visited.

Parents beamed proudly at the event as students talked about beauty, friendship, changing the world and a variety of other topics. The School of Rock was also performing on-site as well.

“It was beautiful hearing the poetry tonight,” said Judy Goschnick of Rochester Hills.

Rochester resident and parent Jeff Witfield agreed. “It was good; the kids had a lot of neat things to say."

Download the movie