National SLAM! media collection

At the National Office, we're busy collecting photos, videos, and press clippings from this year's National Poetry SLAM! Click here to see our collection of photos. VIDEOS: Click here and here to see videos from the SLAM! weekend. For press about the Poetry SLAM!, including an article in the Daily News and an interview on KFOG, click here.

2010 National Poetry SLAM! a success!

From Balloon Boys to blue-eyed crushes to character-defining acts of heroism, the 2010 America SCORES National Poetry SLAM! showcased just how brave and gifted our poet-athletes are. An audience of 300--made up of families, coaches, staff, and supporters--filled the New York Stock Exchange, making it a night the kids will never forget!

This year's National Poetry SLAM! was the most successful to date, raising $180,000, $55,000 more than last year and the most ever raised! All the funds from this year's SLAM! will go directly to supporting the America SCORES' mission of empowering children in cities all across America--on the soccer field, in the classroom, and in the community. In addition, we had the most parents, coaches, and families ever fly to New York, attend the event, and see their kids in action, which made for a room full of very proud spectators!

A full re-cap of the 2010 National Poetry SLAM! is coming soon. New photos, videos, and press clippings are coming in every day. Until then, we'll leave you with the current highlights.

Thank you for everything you have done to make an opportunity like this possible for our poet-athletes across the country!

Poetry SLAM! Poem of the week!

In honor of the National Poetry SLAM! on Monday, here's our poem of the week:

Poetry SLAM Letter

When I get onto the stage,
I am going to feel proud and confident and
When I get up to that microphone,
I'll probably feel a little shy
Because of all the people watching us.
And I might feel a little bit stage-fright.
When I go up to that microphone
When I go and tell everyone my poem
I wrote all by myself
I will be looking at
everyone in the auditorium.
And I know SCORES and I are good writers
And good at making poems in SCORES.
And even if I am little or small
I am still good at writing poems.

Michael M., Age 9.

Our Poet-Athletes Prepare for the National Poetry SLAM!

Our Poet-Athletes Prepare for the National Poetry SLAM! After Community Poetry SLAMs! across the country, two poet-athletes from each city have been chosen to come to New York City to perform at the National Poetry SLAM! For many of our participants, this will be their first trip to New York, and for some, their first time on an airplane. On April 17th, all of the National Poetry SLAM! participants, parents and chaperones will arrive in New York City for this once-in-a-lifetime weekend. They will have the opportunity to explore the city and to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange before they get ready for the main event: performing their original poems onstage at the National Poetry SLAM! This year, we are proud to honor Sunil Gulati, President of the US Soccer Federation and a true pioneer in bringing soccer to the United States. Among our special guests we welcome MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Dave Checketts, founder of Sports Capital Partners Worldwide and owner of Real Salt Lake and the St. Louis Blues. We hope you can join us for this inspiring evening!

VIDEO: During last year's National Poetry SLAM! weekend, we asked our poet-athletes and their coaches this question:"What is Poetry?"

Spread the Word! Please help America SCORES spread the word about the amazing work of our poet-athletes. How to help: 1. Send an email about the National Poetry SLAM! to three friends. 2. Use the "retweet" button to share on twitter, or share on facebook and other social networking sites.

Support the National Poetry SLAM! Click here to purchase a ticket or to support this year's National Poetry SLAM!