The Second Time Around

[Joe Bellacero]

I don’t know about love, but certainly the Second Annual NYCWP Celebratory Reading at the Nuyorican Poets Café, on Saturday May 30, 2009, seemed even better this second time around. Twenty-one students representing ten schools supported by NYCWP consultants, presented poems, memoirs, myths and insightful observations to a rapt audience of friends, family schoolmates and educators.

For the second consecutive year, Christopher "Cannon" Mapp, a former student of consultant and event chairperson Alison Koffler-Wise served as MC, putting readers at ease and keeping things moving.

The historic setting created the perfect atmosphere for this celebration of student creativity, and honesty. Ranging from the deeply serious to seriously silly, the readings brought tears, laughter and thunderous applause.

Once again music teacher Fred Vasquez of New Town High School brought four marvelous student guitarists to complement the readings with a lovely interlude of South American songs. Their talent and dedication to the classic guitar was obvious in every note.

In fact, all of the students who participated impressed the audience with their talent as well as the courage they showed in standing before strangers and sharing some of their deepest feelings. La-vainna Seaton of Cascades, whose piece, "RIP Mommy" brought explosive applause from the audience, expressed the feelings of many of the students when she said upon leaving the stage, "I want to do this again and again!"

"I hope we will be able to do this for many years to come," said NYCWP Director, Nancy Mintz. That hope is echoed by everyone lucky enough to have been there. The committee members, Alison, Gina Moss, Julie Miele and Diane Giorgi, brought together a wonderful event. Perhaps the best way to show its beauty is to end with the final paragraph from La-Vainna's piece.

"I love my adopted family as well as my real family. I realize that my adopted mother’s harsh remarks were a kind of tough love that only made me stronger. And, even though my mother died of AIDS and never cared for me, I thank her for the gift of life. I know she is looking down on us smiling at all of our achievements and I can finally say, 'Rest in peace, Mommy.'”

(See the Photo section for more pictures.)