Knicks Poetry Slam, NYC.

You can always find myself at a Poetry event somewhere in New York City so there was no doubt that I attended the Knicks Poetry Slam Finals held on March 8th. Going, to enjoy some poetry from the top teen poets, but also to support friends who went through auditions, prelims, semi-finals and finally made their way to the big stage held in the New Amsterdam Theatre on Broadway for finals to compete for college grants and the title of Knicks Poetry Slam Winner of 2012. Being there was an unforgettable amazing experience.

Below are photographs snapped by Ashley August of all the finalist. Be Sure to click the play button by their name to watch them recite some poetry.

(All photos taken by Ashley August. Edited by Sabla)

Gabe Barralaga  Watch his poem here. (1st Place.)

"17 year-old Harlemite and a senior at the High School for Environmental Studies. Among other accomplishments, Gabriel won the City Wide Youth Speaks    competition held by the YMCA in May of 2011, and officially declared himself an artist thereafter. Before poetry, Gabriel didn’t have much   in mind about what his future would look like, but he is now excited    and motivated about the endless possibilities that art is placing in his path.  As this year's first place Knicks Slam winner, Gabe will receive a $10,000 educational grant." - Urban Word.

Kathrine George, Watch Her Poem Here

Knicks Slam Poets Friend's & Family.

Briannah Hagger, Watch Her Poem Here.

Jay Davis, Watch Her Poem Here

Giovanni Quattrochi, Watch His Poem Here.

Host & Strivers Row Award Winning Poet, Carvens Lissaint.

London Grant, Watch Her Poem Here

Alyea Pierce, Watch Her Poem Here

Nia Watch Her Poem Here 

Brittany Baker, Watch Her Poem Here. (2nd Place)
"A proud member of Urban Word NYC and a graduate of Girls Write Now, Inc. In 2010 she received a Scholastic Writing and Art Silver Key Prize in the Malcolm X Poetry competition. She co-founded the new spoken word poetry club at Dickinson College in Pennsylvania where she is currently a freshman. Her second time as a Knicks Finalist, Brittany's performance put her in 2nd place to win a $7,500 grant." -Urban Word

Crystal Valentine, Watch Her Poem Here.

Amani Breanna Alexander, Watch Her Poem Here. (3rd Place)
"Urban Word NYC member andsenior at Academy for Young Writers High School. Amani placed 2nd at theUrban Word NYC 2012 Youth Poet Laureate Slam. Coming in 3rd place, she won a$5,000 cash grant and a FULL-ride (4 year) scholarship to th University of Wisconsin." - Urban Word.

Shameka Starks Watch Her Poem Here