University of La Verne Students Compete in National Slam Poetry Competition

Students at the University of La Verne competed in the College Union Poetry Slam Invitational (CUPSI), a three-day competition held at the University of Houston earlier this month. The team of four was among 60 other colleges and universities competing for top honors.

“CUPSI is a crazy experience,” said Slam Poetry Team Captain Julio Garcia. “You meet a lot of amazing people from universities all over the U.S. and many opportunities to bond with them and learn about where they come from.”

Students enjoyed workshops, performances, and slam poetry competitions at the event.

“Hearing everyone’s stories and experiences through their poetry gives you a whole new perspective in life,” Garcia said.

In 2012, the University of La Verne hosted the competition. The university has competed twice in the last three years.

“The students gain an insight into how linguistics is shared while promoting some form of either social justice topic or maybe a personal narrative, all in the spectrum of performance art,” said Robert Ruiz, team advisor.

To learn more about the competition or to join the team, contact Robert Ruiz at rruiz@laverne.edu.