by Noelia de la Cruz

The Poet’s Learning Community made its debut this year at Syracuse University, just three years after Cedric Bolton, program coordinator in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, started Verbal Blend, a spoken word poetry program on campus. The learning community resides on the fifth floor of Boland Hall. With only 13 members (eight first-year students, four sophomores and one resident advisor), the group makes up a small portion of the 38-resident floor. Though in its first semester, this learning community already has much to be proud of.

After basking in the glory that came with winning the banner competition at the annual LC Palooza opening weekend, learning community members became quick friends. The four sophomores on the floor serve as PALs, or “Poets Achieving Leadership,” who help their mentees make the transition from high school to college. PALs also work with mentees to develop and improve their poetry.

“We have our own little network where we talk and vibe off of each other,” says Christiona Hawkins, a PAL on the floor. Aside from participating in poetry sessions, the learning community poets attend Verbal Blend poetry workshops, which Bolton conducts twice a week for six weeks each semester.

In between, the poets participate in additional events. In September, they engaged in Verbal Blend’s annual “Get on the Bus for Poetry” open mic, where members recited poetry on the way to the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn. In October, a “Rep Where You’re From” open mic and slam competition highlighted their lyrical strengths. And at month’s end, several members hopped on a Connective Corridor bus for a soft launch of “Poetry in Motion” and left unsuspecting bus riders amazed by the honeyed voices and talents of poets such as Alecia Gordon. 

“The learning community brings so many unique personalities and they all have different writing styles,” says Michelle Tarshus, the group’s resident advisor. For her, the experience has helped her become more responsible, and she’s enjoyed letting her passion lead her. But the best part of the experience is helping the first-years break out of their shells, she shares. “That’s one of my favorite things – to see them come out and recite their poetry.”

Amanda Fox-Rouch, a first-year communication and rhetorical studies major, says being a part of the learning community has helped her become more confident in her poetry. “They’re all caring and they all accept you,” Fox-Rouch says of the other community members. “We all respect each other’s work, and we all give criticism that’s both good and bad to help the performer grow.”

Next semester, the learning community plans to hold weekly Sunday workshops for the residents, as well as more open mics, Tarshus reveals. She’s pleased with the success the learning community has had thus far. “It feels good to be a part of the pilot. This is just the starting point; I see Verbal Blend skyrocketing!”