Students in eighth and ninth grade are in that transitional stage where they start experimenting with self-expression.More often than not, adults will misread those statements, said Cheryl Henry, an English teacher at Treasure Mountain Junior High School.

“Many of these kids at these ages usually try to express themselves through fashion,” Henry said during an interview with The Park Record. “So they can look totally different outside than what is going on in the inside.

“As an English teacher, I have a rare opportunity to see inside my students heads, because I’m reading their writings all the time,” she said. “They have some brilliant thoughts and I have wanted to get them to share those thoughts with a broader audience than just in our classes.”

So, Henry and eighth-grade English teacher Michelle Stratton, who also teaches ninth-grade creative writing, decided to organize Youthspeak, a public night of poetry, music and speeches by various Park City-area students at the Summit County Library, Kimball Junction Branch, on Monday, March 23, from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m.

The teachers will present the event in partnership with the Summit County Library, Toastmasters International and the Utah Conservatory.

“We wanted to have an event that would make it possible for the students to do something like a poetry slam,” Henry said. “So we met with Kirsten Nilsson, who oversees the youth programming at the library and brainstormed.

“Henry initially wanted to know if it was possible to host the event because her students are participating in an assignment called Language in the Real World.

“It’s a chance for them to use their language in a public forum, which means they have to do something that can be seen or heard in a public arena,” Henry explained. “Some are writing poems and short stories that they are submitting online. Others are writing letters to the editor to newspapers.”

There will be approximately 30 students who will participate in Youthspeak, but the numbers aren’t definite, yet, she said.

“The students will mostly be ninth graders, and some eighth graders, but any student who visits the library is allowed to sign up to participate,” Henry said.

Nilsson was more than happy to offer her help.

“We talked in February after the library invited some authors of young-adult books to give presentations,” Nilsson said. “These authors (Natalie Whipple, Courtney Alamdea and J.R. Johansson) visited classes at Treasure Mountain and Cheryl mentioned that she wanted to tie an assignment to those authors’ presentations and said it would be great to do some kind of poetry slam so the kids would be able to read their poems in public.”

Nilsson said she would provide the facility if the teachers provided the students.

“It’s important for the library to partner with schools for these kind of activities, because we’re another venue and resource for them to use,” she said. “When they come to the library, they see other great things we have to offer.

“Also, April is National Poetry Month, so this event is kind of giving that a special preview,” Nilsson said. “It’s also important for us to reach that age group, so we are happy to do anything we can do to enhance that connection.”

Each presentation will be two to three minutes in length and judged by members of the Park City Toastmasters.

“My husband, Jon, founded the local Toastmasters club and I asked if there was any way for some of his members to come and be an impartial audience who are professionals in this field and can give some feedback,” Henry said.

In addition to the poetry and story telling, the Utah Conservatory will have young musicians perform during the event as well.

“All the students who will perform are in the same age group,” Henry said. “Michelle’s son is in that group, so we are using our personal connections to organize this event.”

Youthspeak is open to the public, according to Henry.

“We would love for members of the community to attend because the whole point is to have a public audience hear these presentations,” she said.

The Summit County Library Kimball Junction Branch, 1885 W. Ute Blvd., will present Youthspeak on Monday, March 23, from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Summit County Library Kimball Junction Branch at 435-615-3900.