Impact Mentoring Academy is gearing up for its annual Spoken Word Night this Saturday.

Eleven students at the all-boys school will share motivational poems and speeches in front of family, friends and community supporters.

Funds raised through the event will help send a group of IMA students to volunteer with Feed My Lambs Ministry in Haiti from March 22 until April 1. “It’s going to be a must-see event,” IMA executive director Chris Crumpler said. “One of the most common fears is public speaking and we regularly talk about the marginalisation and disenfranchisement of men, particularly young Bermudian men, who are polarised and sometimes fear speaking out in public about who they are and what they can offer.

“There aren’t a lot of platforms and not a lot of people who show they care about these young people’s voices, at least that’s what they tend to believe. That is why this Spoken Word event is so important. It allows us to create a platform, in front of the public, and put them on a stage to showcase how talented they are and hear what they really have to say.”

S4 student Jarryd Simmons, 17, said he was looking forward to capturing the audience with his speech on what it means to be successful.

“Everyone thinks you have to have money, cars and all these expensive things, but the speech reminds us that success is a lot more than that. It’s about raising a family and contributing to your community.”

The $40 ticket price also includes dinner and dessert served by students. John Seymour is the guest musician and music will be provided by Lynwood Richardson aka DJ Brotha Richie. For information, call 747-4621 or e-mail info@imabda.bm.