Kappa Alpha Psi sponsors poetry slam in cage

February 25, 2008 —

by Doug Julian

Stepping onto the stage on the night of Feb. 20 were 14 students who participated in the first annual Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. Expressions Poetry Showcase.

Over 40 students attended the event, which was held in the Cardinal Cage.

The show was broken into two parts: first, a list of scheduled performers and then open mic for the rest of the evening. Students performed original pieces, along with pieces from other authors. Styles ranged from monologues and songs to poems and freestyle.

"We wanted to mix pleasure and inspiration," said fraternity President Martell Summers.

Veteran performer and Senior Communications major Levellyn Hunter performed an original work titled 'Response to the Thoughts of a Conceited Rambler.'

"I want to give the audience something they want to hear, but have never heard before," Hunter said. "Two or three years ago, this type of thing could not have happened."

With a growing student population and growing diversity, it is likely that programs like this will become more popular.

"When we sit down and plan an event, we focus on student achievement," said Flinnoia Hall III, advisor to Kappa Alpha Psi. "But we always try and bring diversity."

The slam embodied Kappa Alpha Psi's mantra: achievement in every field of human endeavor.

"We are mixing life and success in a way SVSU has never seen before," said Summers. "We're showing the community what we can do."

The fraternity has plans of making this an annual event, possibly, according to Hall, even hosting the event twice a year.

"Students don't always have an opportunity to express themselves and be creative," said Hall. "We need more events like tonight to provide students with that opportunity."

The fraternity said that it seemed that the students enjoyed the evening.

"It's nice for there to be a place where people can come and express themselves," said Tamera Horton, a junior communications major. "I'll be back next year."