Dear Poets, Parents, and Teachers:

On Saturday, December 14, Southern Word will host State of the Word, the region’s leading youth poetry showcase. This event brings together Tennessee’s top college and high school poets, emcees, rappers, and spoken word artists for a night of powerful performances.

You or your teen writer has been invited to participate in State of the Word workshops and activities leading up to the show. Not all students who participate in activities will perform at the show; we will confirm with your young person directly if we have a performance slot for them. Regardless, whether or not you/your teen writer is selected to perform, we hope they will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to be part of the day’s festivities. The schedule is as follows:

12:30pm: Check In at Sport Science Building (2110 Belmont Blvd / #28 on campus map) – There will not be lunch provided so please eat prior to arrival.
01:00pm – 05:30pm: Workshops and Rehearsals
05:30pm – 06:30pm: Pizza Dinner (provided by Southern Word)
06:30p: Participants walk to McAfee Concert Hall (Ingram Hall, 2108 Belmont Blvd / #29 on campus map)
07:00p: The State of the Word, McAfee Concert Hall

CAMPUS MAP / PARKING MAP / ACCESSIBILITY MAP

PARKING: Parking is available in front of the Sport Science Building or in the South Garage (entrance on Delmar Ave / P11 on parking map).

Please also note that Southern Word creates platforms for youth to speak about the real hopes and challenges in their lives. Discretion is advised as parents may deem some content inappropriate for young children.

In order to participate, adult organizers or individual youth should register below for the writing workshops. We will confirm participation after registration based on available slots. Preference will be given to youth returning necessary paperwork.

All of the day’s activities are free to participating youth. If community members would like to reserve or purchase tickets to the show, please do this online at https://www.southernword.org/event/2024-state-of-the-word.

Participating youth will be required fill out a registration form signed by a parent or guardian. Click here for the form. Please print, sign, photograph, and upload below or e-mail to alita@southernword.org.

Register below to participate in the day’s workshops.

WORKSHOP REGISTRATION

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I am a... *

• teacher enrolling my students.
• parent enrolling my child.
• student enrolling myself.

Your Name *

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Your Phone Number *

How many students are you registering? *123

Student's Name *

School *

Grade Level *9th10th11th12th

Student's Name *

School *

Grade Level *9th10th11th12th

Student's Name *

School *

Grade Level *9th10th11th12th

List of Youth Workshop Participants *

Are you registering anyone including yourself for the State of the Word? *

• Yes
• No

State of the Word is being held at Belmont University's McAfee Hall (2108 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212) on December 14 at 7:00pm.

Do you plan to stay for State of the Word? *

• Yes
• No

State of the Word is being held at Belmont University's McAfee Hall (2108 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212) on December 14 at 7:00pm.

Names of Attendees *

Parental/Guardian Permission Form
All participating youth are required to fill out a permission form signed by a parent or guardian. However, you do not need to upload the permission form now to reserve a space. You may access the form by clicking here and return a signed copy using the upload area below, in-person, or through email to alita@southernword.org.

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