SEC: Slam 'n Jam -- Success!

[Kathy Hutton <khutton@EWOL.COM>]

Hi, everyone.

     You may remember some months ago, Adam Janowski(of Naples High
School) posted a message about the success of his media center’s Slammin
and Jammin Coffeehouse event.  His message was really exciting and
terribly motivating.  As many others, I contacted him for further
information.  He posted a follow-up message with lots of details.  The
whole thing sounded incredibly awesome.

     This is my first year as a high school library media specialist
(after 11 elementary years).  When I mentioned the concept of a poetry
slam/music event to some others, the response was something like..."It
won't work kids don't come BACK to school in the evening and neither do
I."  Still determined, I spoke with the assistant principal and a few
teachers who seemed to like the idea.  So, I forged ahead (with the help
of a small committee.)

    Obviously, I was hoping for a successful event but fearing a
failure. I hoped for twelve performers and twenty-five in the audience.
  I can't tell you how excited I was--seventeen kids (music and poetry)
signed up to perform.  Figuring that most of them would show up, I felt
confident that we would have an audience of at least twenty-five.

     Well, we had an audience of nearly seventy! The kids were terrific.
They seemed to feel confident and excited (although, at times, a bit of
stage fright was evident) as they shared their original songs and music
for two hours!  What a great night! Everyone (performers and audience)
appeared relaxed and really seemed to enjoy the night.  What I really
liked was the support and encouragement the kids gave to each other.  I
haven't seen the kids so polite or enthusiastic since August!  I'm just
elated.

      I really, really want to thank Adam for so generously sharing his
success and ideas.  And I want to encourage you try something you feel
excited about even if you meet with a few negative responses (they may
not know the kids as well as they think!) and share your successes with
all of us.

Kathy Hutton, Media Specialist
Lemon Bay High School
Rotonda West, Florida 33947
Khutton@ewol.com


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