Senior Jordan Shaibani

Senior Jordan Shaibani became interested in slam poetry after learning about it in her freshman year english class. At the end of her junior year, she decided it was something she wanted to get more involved in.

Shaibani started going to open mic qualifiers in D.C. and eventually qualified for D.C.’s Youth Slam team, a team made up of middle and high school students. She is also on the East Coast Regional Slam team, where she has competed in the youth world championships for slam poetry.

Poetry is an outlet for Shaibani to express and cope with her emotions. Through slam poetry, she has made friends with people from all over the world, many of whom she’s still in touch with.

“With slam poetry, I’ve really found a community and a home,” Shaibani said. “Slam poetry is a small community, so you get to know everyone — you see familiar faces all the time.”