Published:
by Selam Weimer, Foundation Intern
Attending the Know Your Power (KYP) showcase was the best way to end the summer on an inspiring note. Those in the audience included the teen council, members from Pepco and the Library Foundation (both sponsor’s of KYP), and Shauntee Burns-Simpson, the Library’s Director of Youth and Family Services. Teens who submitted to the arts contest came with their friends and family to see who would be crowned the winner. While everyone did not receive a prize, all walked away with a tote bag and a signed copy of Jordan K. Casomar’s debut novel so no one left empty handed. Joanna Harris, the Teen Services Coordinator for the DC Public Library, opened up the ceremony and invited our featured author to give the keynote. Casomar spoke on the essentiality of art in life and the courage it takes to share it with the world.
Teen council member, London H., and myself picked up the mic to continue the conversation with the guest author, and gained insight on the inspiration behind the book as well as Casomar’s advice for teens navigating expectations and relationships. Then, Jason Monroy from Pepco took the stage and congratulated the participants and honored their creativity and bravery as they shared their thoughts and feelings on the subjects that mattered to them most. A slideshow of the visual art and photography entries played on the big screen as the audience “ooh-ed” and “aah-ed”. After voicing the difficulty of the decision, the runner up, Rita Adele Janenaite for her piece “Plant Woman” and winner, Ana González-Galván for her piece "Esperanza y Realidad" were announced!
The applause continued as both students took the stage and received their prizes: a $50 gift card to Politics and Prose for Rita and a Wacom digital tablet for Ana. The presentation then turned to the writing portion as teens who submitted to the contest came up and read their pieces. A friend of Snowy Brown’s read her moving poem, Hiding in Corners. Amiziah Williams followed with a beautiful chapter from his book Straight from the Heart, which can be purchased on Amazon! Dest’n Montague gave a powerful delivery of his piece “Black Man” and our guest author spontaneously volunteered to do the reading for Dakala Solomon who was unfortunately unable to attend the ceremony. After a collective drumroll, Dest’n was announced the runner up, winning a gift card to Politics and Prose, and Dakala won a laptop for first prize.
Transitioning into the last category of photography and film, Daniel Murtin was awarded runner up for his photography series, “Central Park” and Madeline Waldman was named winner for her documentary, “Kennedy Street.” Daniel came to accept his gift card and Madeline received a Canon camera. To cap off the show, the audience was treated to a screening of her production! Afterwards, people broke out into conversation about the inspiring works that were presented and got a chance to introduce themselves to Casomar as he signed their books. All in all, the showcase was a success and a beautiful space for DC teens to express themselves and in turn empower all who came in contact with their creation.
