The Sik’lik program enhances writing, presentation skills and overall self-esteem by giving students an opportunity to perform original poetry in front of an audience of their peers. Twenty-five middle and high-school students participated in the two-round poetry slam competition hosted by national-award winning poet Mike Guinn.

Alison Villasana of Western Hills High School in Fort Worth became the first female Sik’lik Slam Champion in the program’s history with a perfect score of 60 points over two rounds, edging out second-place finisher Brandon Sanders (Marine Creek Collegiate High School) who finished with 59.9 points. Rilee Crooks of Lighthouse Preparatory took claimed the top spot in the middle school division.

Additional entertainment was provided by Fort Worth’s DJ Sean P and Dallas-based singer/songwriter Ellen Hinton (Ellen Once Again), who performed for the students in attendance and also shared insight into the creative writing process.

High School

1. Alison Villasana (Senior, Western Hills High School)
2. Brandon Sanders (Sophomore, Marine Creek Collegiate High School)
3. Walid Saif (Junior, Young Men’s Leadership Academy)
4. Thania Olivares (Sophomore, Marine Creek Collegiate High School)
5. Kyana Spencer (Freshman, Western Hills High School)
6. Alvaro Aguilar (Sophomore, Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts)
7. Clara Tolleson (Junior, Weatherford High School)
8. Isabella Parra (Senior, Timber Creek High School)

Middle School

1. Rilee Crooks (Seventh Grade, Lighthouse Preparatory)
2. Nadia Saif (Seventh Grade, Handley Middle School)