C.R. Walker High School students were able to discover innovative and exciting ways to use language as a vehicle of thought, creativity, reflection, learning and self-expression during a visit from American poet, author and motivational speaker, Omekongo Dibinga of UPstander International. Through his work, Dibinga who describes himself as an up-stander as opposed to a bystander, inspires people -- in particular, youth populations to take a stand when they witness an injustice. His 1,000,000 Youth Campaign has impacted more than 100,000 young people worldwide.

During Dibinga's recent five-day workshop which focused on poetry and spoken word, over 50 students comprising grades 10 through 12, also learned to use language as a tool for personal growth, social interaction and addressing social issues faced within their communities.

Under the Poet-In-Residence Program with the motto, 'Think before you speak. Write before you fight,' Dibinga's workshop focused on building cultural and community pride through the use of poetry and the spoken word. In a show of appreciation for the program, the students gave Dibinga a taste of authentic Bahamian culture through the presentation of a Junkanoo rushout. Dibinga concluded his visit with a performance titled "Power of the Spoken Word" at Bahamas Harvest Church at which United States Embassy Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Neda Brown, Pastor Mario Moxey of Bahamas Harvest Church, C.R. Walker Principal Nicola McKay were in attendance.

During the evening, many of the students who participated in the program took to the stage to give performances through their creative use of the spoken word that expressed their feelings and views on a myriad of issues. Dibinga and local poet Leshea "Sapphire" Jones closed out the evening with performances from a selection of their own classic poems.

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