Native youth in poetry slam

Native team competes in national youth poetry slamSix American Indian students stepped outside their comfort zone and into the spotlight when they competed in the Brave New Voices national youth poetry slam in San Jose, July 17-21.

About 45 teams representing cities from across the country were expected to participate in the event. According to Tim McLaughlin, teacher and coach for team Santa Fe, his students have made great strides over the past few years and now, perhaps, a bit of history, too.

"Notable is the fact that the Native voices are very often absent from the poetry slam world in general and certainly from the youth poetry slam world. I think our group will be the first Native squad in the 10-year history of this event," McLaughlin said.