Student Expression Through Spoken Word

YVONNE LEE
Editor in Chief
Freedom of expression is a basic right that students at AHS exercise everyday, through clothing, arts or music: Outlets for expression are everywhere. This year, the Alhambra Moors Poet Society (AMPS) is providing another way for students to express themselves through spoken word with Get Lit.
AMPS was founded two years ago by Spanish teacher Joshua Moreno in response to the popularity of the school Poetry Slams.
Despite being relatively new on campus, AMPS has already begun working with other established spoken word groups, professional speakers and theater groups. Recently, seniors Anna Osuna and Junior Herrera were chosen to be part of Get Lit, a group founded by the Sponsored Youth Speaks organization in 2005. The group’s mission is to reach out to youth in Los Angeles, not only to encourage poetic expression but also to build confidence in public speaking and encourage cultural awareness. However, Get Lit’s main focus is fighting illiteracy.
“Illiteracy and problems with reading and writing are a huge [dilemma] in the community,” said Moreno.
By getting involved with these programs, Moreno hopes that students will be able to connect to language, as well as respond to it.
Along with other members of the Get Lit program, Osuna and Herrera meet every Saturday and attend open-mic nights every month at The Actors’ Gang Theater in Culver City. There, youth from all over L.A. perform prose in modern styles.
“Our purpose is to be a good influence and motivate kids to speak out as a form of expression and for youth to inspire other youth to want to read and expose them to different types of literature,” said Herrera.
Through dedication, Moreno hopes others will join Osuna and Herrera in Get Lit and eventually participate in larger scale performances.
However, they say it’s more than just performing; it’s also about gaining industry experience.
“It’s helping to open doorways, there are theater professionals to help us if we want to look into a certain field,” said Osuna.
Cultivating knowledge while instilling passion for language, AMPS is sending a message that words speak just as loudly as actions.