– Untitled, the BMHS slam poetry team,  progressed to finals in this year’s LTAB (Louder than a Bomb)  DMV Teen Poetry Festival

“THAT MEAN IT AIN’T GOT NO NAME,” the fans and members shout at each performance of Bishop McNamara’s poetry team Untitled. This year at The Louder than a Bomb Teen Poetry Festival (LTAB) , an annual festival held in Washington D.C., it was something everyone in the room got used to hearing every time a Mac poet stepped to the mic. This festival includes a series of poetry slam competitions, in which schools from the Maryland, Virginia, and D.C region can compete head to head.

The poetry team is a group of six students that participate in the LTAB poetry competitions. This year McNamara’s poetry team worked their butts off. From constant practice every Monday, to participating in club meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays, they have put in tireless efforts, even staying until 9 p.m. the night the week of finals to prep.

Eight teams made it to this year’s semi -finals:  Parkdale’s “Lyrical Storm,” Montgomery Blair’s  “Compa$$ion Fruit,” McKinley Tech’s Slam Team, Bishop McNamara’s “Untitled,” Wilson’s “Motley Society,” Madeira’s Slam Team, Robinson’s Slam Team and Dunbar’s Slam Team.

Due to a technicality, five teams – unlike the usual four – advanced to the finals, held Saturday, May 2, 2015 at the University of the District of Columbia.

Untitled, for the first time in three years, was among them. They were joined by Montgomery Blair, McKinley Tech, Wilson, and Madeira.

After a grueling four rounds and three hours of slam poetry, filled with laughter, happiness, sadness, boo’s, yassss’s, and snaps, the winners of this years LTAB competition were announced. Madeira’s Slam Team placed 1st, McKinley Tech’s Slam Team placed 2nd and Montgomery Blair’s  “Compa$$ion Fruit” placed 3rd.

The poetry team has been alive for at least four years now and continues to go on strong. Ms. Ashley Graham, math teacher, is the current faculty moderator, and Bobbi Johnson is the president of the club.

A common misconception is that the poetry “team” is the same thing as the poetry “club,” but they are separate. The poetry team meets on Mondays, while the poetry club meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The poetry club is open to all of the students in the school, while the poetry team is a group of select students.

Although Untitled did not win the overall festival, they plan to participate again next year in hopes of taking home a win.

written w/ Jasmine Jackson