Juniors Lindsay Simonsen and Tyrik Iman-Washington sing and discuss music on April 5 during the Horizons SLAM (Student Literary and Art Magazine) Writing Program’s second Poetry SLAM of the year in celebration of its second magazine publication, themed “I Am…” Hosted in the Warren Hills High School Media Center by media specialists Maggie Devine and Bela Shah, Poetry SLAMs traditionally feature students and staff reading original or otherwise published poetry during their lunch periods. However, this round featured a new take on the event. Iman-Washington, known for his work with the Warren Hills Drama Club, opted to use his musical talent to reach the audience, beginning with an original song, “Remember.” “I wrote ‘Remember’ over the summer because I was thinking about old friendships, and wondering if they think of me and cherish what we had as much as I do,” he said, “but I turned that idea into a love song.” After a standing ovation, Iman-Washington was joined by fellow Drama Club star Simonsen, together singing the duet “For Good” from Broadway’s Wicked. The two said the song highlights their friendship and how they have both changed for the better because they had met, but they’re not the only ones who have changed. Iman-Washington and Simonsen’s introduction of song into Poetry SLAMs has changed the outlook of future events; Devine said music will “definitely” be incorporated into the April 27 Spoken Word Poetry Night. “Being a poet has influenced my style of music,” Iman-Washington said, “so the idea that Poetry SLAMs would be open to aspiring songwriters and singers like myself is so inspiring and profound.” (Photo courtesy of Maggie Devine)