By Yesica Gonzalez |Staff Writer|
Speak Yo Truth offered a platform where students could share their thoughts and recite their poetry and writing on Feb. 15.
Students gathered in the Santos Manuel Student Union Events Center to hear their fellow peers express themselves in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Participants expressed themselves through various art forms, whether it was through poetry or song, it was their way of sharing with the audience who they are.
Students shared their experiences regarding love, politics and any personal matters.
One of the performers, Jendayan Lee, recited a poem that described her personality and characteristics to the crowd.
“I didn’t write it but I was looking for the right words online and I found them in that poem,” stated Lee.
Lee felt that the poem best represented her as a person.
She recommends the event to any one that wants to explore or go out.
“I always try to tell students there is no such thing as horrible poetry, poetry is art, I feel like you can’t mess up with it,” explained the host and coordinator of the event, Cassie Butcher.
Performing on stage gives people confidence in themselves, as well as helps them form of their own individual expression, according to Butcher.
“It gives them a chance to get over their stage fright and to be able to perform in front of a lot of people,” shared Butcher.
Student Karina Mancillas faced her feelings of stage fright the first time she performed.
“This is my second time, I didn’t happen to have a poem ready but I woke up this morning and I was like, I’m going to perform again and I’m just going to write a poem really quick,” shared Mancillas.
Anybody willing to participate does not need to have a prepared act. If a participant thinks of something minutes before, they are still welcomed to speak their truth.
“It was a situation that I experienced that got me to write,” explained Mancillas about the idea behind her motivation.
As a second time performer, she shared the nerves she experienced before being on the spotlight.
“Last time I was super nervous, this time I was just like it was fine and [I told myself] ‘you’re okay’,” said Mancillas.
The event is for all students and Mancillas suggested inviting friends for support.
“Bring your friends, bring your crowd,” said Mancillas.
The atmosphere of the room was enthusiastic, and provided comfort for those who were a bit timid.
“All my friends were cheering for me and that gave me more courage for me to go up there,” she continued.
The audience provided an excellent source of support, encouraging anyone will to take a chance on appearing in the limelight.
Butcher enjoys poetry and says that there is no wrong approach to expressing one’s feelings through writing.
“I just like poetry and since I work at the Student Union, we have to do events. I was like ‘hey, I’m doing poetry!”” stated Butcher.
Speak Yo Truth provides opportunities for participants to engage with one another and uniquely be themselves.
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