The 7th Annual National Poetry SLAM! raised $150,000 for the America SCORES after-school program through donations from guests Joe Tacopina and Shep Messing and their associates, as well as an audience of 300 people who saw performances from 27 students. The money will support free after-school programs run by SCORES that use poetry, soccer, and service learning to engage and educate over 8,000 young people across the United States each year.

1. Poetry Slam Raises $150,000Poetry Slam Raises $150,000
for After-School Programsfor After-School Programs

2. •The America SCORES 7th Annual National Poetry
SLAM!, an event that showcased poetry performances
from elementary school students, raised $150,000 for the
national after-school program. Much of the money came
from guests of honor Joe Tacopina, a New York defense
attorney, and Shep Messing, a retired professional soccer
player, and their associates, who donated thousands of
dollars in matching funds. The money will be used for
SCORES after-school programs, which are free and
provide excellent opportunities for more than 8,000 young
people across the United States.

3. •“America SCORES combines what I think are the key
ingredients to be successful in life - literacy and sports,”
Tacopina told a news outlet. “Having sport be part of their
education, to me, is the magic elixir.” Tacopina is a
longtime soccer fan and recreational soccer player.

4. •More than 300 people filled the audience at the poetry
slam, where 27 students from 14 cities performed. The
students were part of SCORES after-school writing and
performing workshops and were chosen for the event
through auditions. Poetry is an integral part of SCORES
after-school programs, which also use soccer and service
learning to help students stay healthy and get engaged in
their communities.