CMS Hosts Clinton Out Loud

On April 17, Clinton Middle School came alive with rhythm, creativity, and connection during Clinton Out Loud, a school-wide celebration of poetry and performance! Reflecting our mission to ignite a passion for poetry and elevate students' poetic literacy, the event showcased a dynamic range of voices, styles, and cultures.

The day opened with an inspiring keynote from award-winning poet, photographer, and American Ninja Warrior Charles R. Smith Jr., who also led engaging poetry workshops with students throughout the day. Students were then treated to a vibrant performance by Las Guaracheras, an all-women salsa group from Cali, Colombia, whose music and message uplifted Afro-Latin culture and empowered young voices.

Utica Improv brought energy and laughter to the event, guiding students through fun, interactive sessions that built confidence and collaboration through improvisational theater. Community partnerships played a key role in making Clinton Out Loud unforgettable. The Kirkland Art Center  brought the group Las Guaracheras to Clinton, while a visit to the Kirkland Town Library included a powerful creative writing session in a cozy, reflective space.

Finally, students shared their own poetry with the broader community by hanging their original works in the village green, turning the heart of the town into an outdoor gallery of student voice.

Clinton Out Loud was more than a day of poetry, it was a celebration of culture, creativity, and community, and a reminder that every student has a voice worth hearing.

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