Russ cobbled together the text from his visit to Farwell taking photos and a press release from LA Arts

The competition was the culmination of a 10-week residency program at three Lewiston schools (Farwell and McMahon elementary schools, and Lewiston Middle School) and one Auburn school (Edward Little High School). The residencies were team taught by an L/A Arts professional, poetry-teaching artist partnered with a public school classroom teacher.

During the work, students enhanced their literacy skills studying the forms of poetry, and applied their understanding by writing and performing original pieces. The poems are based on themes inspired by the poetry students have studied, and topics from their lives and community that have importance to them.

The Maine Writes district-wide slam competition took place live via videoconferencing between schools. Seven students from each competing class (chosen by their peers and teachers) made up their team, five of which performed their poems for the slam.The poems were adjudicated by a panel of adults and students for the quality of the performances (memorization, body language, voice….etc.) and the writing.

Farwell and McMahon competed in the morning competition. The winners of this round will compete in a Global Writes invitational via videoconferencing with schools in The Bronx, NYC in March. All participating students will receive a special commendation for their work.

This program is made possible by Lewiston Public Schools, Quimby Family Foundation, The Betterment Fund, The Davis Family Foundation, The George and Helen Ladd Foundation, Mechanics Savings Bank, Lewiston/Auburn Rotary Breakfast Club and Maine Family Federal Credit Union.