This article was written by Olivia Lloyd, class of 2019.
English Honor Society and Dead Poets Society once more co-hosted their annual fall open mic night Friday, Nov. 9. All proceeds from ticket and concessions sales went to Project Alive.
Performances included musical acts, such as junior Adam Cui’s violin rendition of the bop “Despacito,” or an acoustic version of “Girls Like You,” which juniors Jacob Kasner and Raahym Khan performed. Another type of act manifested itself as many seniors read college essays.
Senior Amy Haft, who has attended open mic nights for the past three years, had never performed before Friday night. “My friends were all reading their college essays, and I decided to get over myself and read mine after one of my friends asked me about something that I wrote an essay about,” Haft said, that something being the reason why she hated Elon Musk.
Junior Flora Ranis, co-president of English Honor Society, assisted in the planning and execution of the event. She additionally performed a slam poem titled “Developed,” which resulted in a chorus of applause and approving snaps. “As the name conveys, open mic night creates an ‘open’ space where all are welcome to share their talents or personal stories,” Ranis said. “It attracts anyone who wants to inspire others or feel inspired. Not only is anyone welcome, but everyone who participates knows the audience will support their performance and respect the content of what they share.”
This sentiment may have encouraged some first time attendants to share their stories in both formal and informal manners. Some newcomers included senior Joel Barnes, who shared a personal essay about how he sought to make friends while moving around periodically throughout his life, or junior Hannah Petit-Jeune, who shared her perspective on modern beauty.
Dead Poets Society and English Honor Society will collaborate again in the spring to host a Renaissance Festival and another open mic night.
“Open mic night is an event everyone walks away from smiling, laughing, and feeling closer than before,” Ranis added. “There is so much beauty is coming together and sharing our unique stories as one community.”
