On Thursday, Oct.20, the library hosted its annual Poetry Jam. Students gathered in the library during their English classes and listened to their fellow classmates and teachers riddle off poems. The event spanned through the entire day and included original poetry , recited poetry, and even song lyrics. It was a very laid back environment, with the lights being off and various decorations placed around the library,  giving a Halloween vibe which fits right into this time of year.

Rolla High School librarian Jessie Kirkbride, who has been helping run the Poetry Jam for years, recognizes the importance of holding an event like this.

“I do know it’s a good way to give everyone a voice that wants to get up there and perform something. I’ve seen someone that, I  haven’t heard them say two words in four years and they get up there and rock out on a guitar. It’s kind of cool to see other sides of students and the teachers too. I think it’s good for kids to see teachers getting up there and realizing we do have an outside life,” said Kirkbride.

Rolla High School English teacher Star Hargis, who actively participates in Poetry Jam, loves that the event helps get people out of their comfort zones.

“I have really loved it when the students have been up and performed original songs, and they bring in their guitars, and they actually get up there and perform. That’s always fun to watch and to see. I also love it when Miss Green gets up and does her poetry, because usually her poetry is a lot of fun, and she always makes me laugh. And I’ve really loved it when some of my students who’ve written original poetry and were pretty afraid to get up and talk, managed to get up there and do their poem and have some confidence in it…” said Hargis.

The performance queue offers a lot of variety which Kirkbride loves about the Poetry Jam.

“Sometimes, people write some original poems that are great, sometimes they write original poems that are asking someone to a dance. It’s just a pretty big variety. Mrs. Hargis rapping is a good [example],” said Kirkbride.

The Poetry Jam can help light a match for students to want to read poetry. Kirkbride knows that Poetry Jam can boost people’s interest in poetry, at least around when the event takes place.

“It seems like there are a lot of books that are written in bursts like novels that are written in bursts like Jason Reynolds has a few and those are pretty popular because they’re pretty quick reads. But just poetry books in general, [are] not very popular until Poetry Jam time,” said Kirkbride.

Events like these can mean a lot to people; it gives people a platform to be heard, whether that be reading original work or not, and Hargis feels the importance of this.

“I was always raised by my dad to be someone who could appreciate the power of words, especially the spoken word. My dad was a musician and a writer. And so I love seeing the student body get up there and see the power of words and how they can influence other people and how they can allow them to have a voice… So I just love that recognition of the meaningfulness and the power behind words,” said Hargis.