Student recognized for powerful poetry
Sayreville teen's poem advocates against violence
BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer

Christopher Amat

SAYREVILLE — A local high school junior recently won accolades for his poetry.

 

Christopher Amat, 16, of the borough's Parlin section, is active in the poetry club at Sayreville War Memorial High School. He recently won recognition in a national poetry contest and plans to participate in two major poetry slams along with fellow classmates next year.

The Board of Education congratulated Christopher for being one of two finalists in the "SPEAK UP Creative Expression Contest," sponsored by PAX USA, a nonprofit organization advocating for an end to gun violence. The contest was run as part of Safe Schools Week in October, which is when Christopher read his poem, "With Open Eyes I've Realized," at a school assembly. He has since read the poem to the public at a Board of Education meeting.

Christopher did not only earn praise from school administrators and the community for his poem. PAX USA awarded him with an iPod Touch, and gave the high school a school safety package valued at $2,500.

Board of Education President Michael Macagnone described Christopher as personable and articulate.

"He's talented, and it's a reflection of all the good that comes out of the Sayreville school district," Macagnone said. "We're proud of him and his accomplishment, and we're proud of the teachers that have mentored him and have been a part of his academic growth."

Michelle Scarpari, an English teacher and adviser to the poetry club, said Christopher is one of 30 students in the club this year. Five of those students, including Christopher, qualified to compete in the semi-finals of the New York Knicks Poetry Slam Program.

A poetry slam is a competitive poetry reading where participants read or recite their work, which is then judged. The students who entered the competition independently go to the city regularly to learn more about different styles of writing in preparation for the event, and are eligible to win a variety of prizes, including scholarships and grants.

"Slam is more like an urban movement," Scarpari said. "It deals with politics and being young, and it almost sounds as though it is rap the way they are doing it."

Christopher is participating in the Knicks Poetry Slam along with classmates Brian Roberts, Sandra Buen, Oscar Reyes and Gabriel Cedeno.

Cedeno graduated but remains competitive and still attends club meetings as an adviser, Scarpari said.

The youth of today have a renewed respect for poetry, and interest in the poetry club continues to grow, Scarpari said. She is pleased that Christopher found this creative outlet, at which he is excelling.

"I just think he's so open-minded and he has such a presence about him," Scarpari said. "Even with a large audience, everyone is quiet. Everyone wants to hear what he has to say. He's very soft-spoken, but very powerful."

Cathy Reilly, the language arts supervisor, said she is pleased with the progress that Scarpari has made with students in the poetry club. She noted that three of the five students participating in the Knicks event placed in the top 50 in last year's poetry slam in New York.

"It's exciting," Reilly said. "Poetry has become hip, which is nice. It's good to see as a language arts supervisor that poetry is very much alive."

Reilly thanked Joseph Schlaline, a student assistance counselor, for his help with the PAX USA contest. She described Christopher as a scholarly gentleman and in particular praised his poem on awareness of violence.

"Like Michelle said, it was powerful and relevant, and he has a way of getting his point across in a creative way," Reilly said.

Christopher said he is also participating in another poetry slam event based out of Newark. Christopher said he is considering a variety of options to pursue after high school, including studying criminal law to become a lawyer.

"I started poetry as a hobby, but it's been very good to me," Christopher said.

His poem for Safe Schools Week was his attempt at spreading a message of peace to others, particularly students who need a safe and nonviolent environment in order to achieve their academic goals, he said.

"You see it everywhere," Christopher said. "In school you see fights. People think violence can solve prblems, but it really doesn't. I want to try to get the word out.Alot of people hesitate to speak about it, and through my poem I was trying to get the word out on it."

With Open Eyes I've Realized

by Christopher Amat
Not too long ago, I came to
a realization,
That the main complication
with human collaboration is lack
of communication.
See, I've come to the
realization that,
people are fast to talk trash,
despite not knowing the whole story.
Listen to the first half then they
ignore me.
Their minds drift as they take and
twist the story.
And create the annoyance we all
know, as rumors.
Then others are quick to jump to
conclusions
Seeking satisfaction in violence,
such an illusion.
'Cause see, I don't pick up a fight.
I'd rather sit down and write.
The pen is my weapon, and I know
how to use it right.
'Cause see, I've come to the
realization that,
Violence doesn't solve problems,
it just causes retaliation.
So I say, restore pacification.
Stop the racial discriminations.
Stop the murders and
assassinations.
We need to address the nation,
'Cause it's our obligation to assess
the situation.
We are the future, our generation,
The future leaders of a new
civilization.
So if you understand what I say,
and can agree with me,
Stand up for what you believe.
Don't let your voice be silenced.
With open eyes I've realized, that
we can stop the violence.