Poet-Athlete Spotlight

In June we got the chance to film two promos with WKYC featuring our amazing poet-athletes. We spent two days writing rhymes and perfecting performances about how to fight the summer slide. Be sure to keep an eye out for both promos throughout the month on WKYC.
Below meet the four awesome poet-athletes, Jason, Morelia, Paige and Stacey who are featured in the two promos!
Watch both promos below!
Interview with Paige
Grade – 6th
How long have you been part of SCORES? – I have been in SCORES for about 3 years
What is your favorite part of the SCORES program? – I like playing the soccer games. Every time I play I feel like I am getting more advanced
How has SCORES made a difference in your life? – I talk to other people now. I feel more confident. I was a little shy but after being in the Poetry SLAM and playing soccer games I’m not anymore.
What was the inspiration for your poem? – I wrote about the world we are living in and how it is so sad. People are closed in their houses. There are no proms, no graduations.
Paige W.
Warner Girls Leadership Academy

Summer Bummer
This summer is giving me the blues.
Sitting around being quarantined with nothing to do.
Facetime with friends, being stuck at home,
Wish I could be with them.
I’m feeling so alone.
They say stay 6 feet apart.
Wash your hands 10 times a day
And wear a mask everywhere you go.
I can’t take this anymore, it’s messing up our summer flow.
Why can’t we have a fun summer
man this really is a bummer!
Interview with Jason
Grade – 5th
How long have you been part of SCORES? – I have been in SCORES for about 3 years
What is your favorite part of the SCORES program? – I get to write poetry and learn about things like metaphors
How has SCORES made a difference in your life? – I have learned more about English and writing.
What is your favorite SCORES memory? – When I got to perform my individual poem at the Poetry SLAM.
Jason H.
Newton D. Baker School of Art

Kennywood
An amusing park
there’s rides and slides
some fast like a jack rabbit
it can make you cry
or feel like you’re going to die
The Ferris wheel
spins like a clock
going up might be scary
coming down tickles a lot
The merry go round
not up and down
but the horses chase all around
with my brother Nick
sometimes we both get sick
Some things are dangerous but also fun
especially the black widow
this is my adventure
trying to figure out where to go
Interview with Morelia
Grade – 6th
How long have you been part of SCORES? – I have been in SCORES for about 3 years
What is your favorite part of the SCORES program? – I like playing the position of striker and making goals
What has being part of a team taught you? – I have learned that you have to help others.
What is your favorite SCORES memory? – I remember missing a kick and falling but I got back up and made a goal
Morelia V.
Buhrer Dual Language Academy

Soccer
I see people, my team mates, and soccer balls grass the dirt.
Smell the glass, dirt, soccer ball
Feel the grass and soccer ball
I hear my parents yelling at me go Morelia!!
You got this!
I taste air when I run, it tastes like nothing
My parents tell me always try my best.
Interview with Stacey
Grade – 4th
How long have you been part of SCORES? – I have been in SCORES for about 3 years
How has SCORES made a difference in your life? – I am better at understanding poems. I’m also better at reading and writing.
What inspired your SLAM poem? – I wrote my poem to win the SLAM and make my mom proud.
What is your favorite SCORES memory? – I love writing. I enjoy thinking about my poem and coming up with the ideas.
Stacey T.
A.B Hart School

The One and Only
They call me
The small player
The chicken wing slayer
The skilled ball player
Never the one to be-
The “nay-sayer”
The jelly shaker
The one and only-
Shot maker
The back board breaker
The smooth, funny and handsome-
Girl taker
Not trying to brag, but also…
The 3 point God
The leader of the squad
The one who should be…outlawed
On the flip side…
The cat box cleaner
The apple and cherry pie
The one that’s off the meter
The “Hello, good morning” greeter
But never, ever-mistaken as a “cheater”
And those are just a few of the names
They call ME!
The One, The Only…Stacey