Too Hot to Handel CPS Poetry Contest

Each January, the Auditorium Theatre presents Too Hot To Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah as a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For the fifth consecutive year, we have invited Chicago Public School students in grades 3-12 to write an original poem celebrating Dr. King's vision of the beloved community. The grand prize winner and runner up will each receive four tickets to see Too Hot to Handel, limo service to and from the theatre, and will have the opportunity to read their poem to the Too Hot audience.  Their poems will also be published in N'DIGO Magazine and every audience member will receive a copy to take home with them.  This year, over 200 students from all over the city entered the contest to share their hopes and dreams for a beloved community.  

Here are our finalists for our poetry contest:

  

Beloved Community

By: Kellvin S. – 6^th grade

Harold Washington Elementary School

A beloved community stands together

A beloved community helps each other

We’re all one and one is all

Let’s strive together from winter to fall

A beloved Community works as a team

Even though we have different dreams

We all have suggestions we like to share

So we come together because we care

“Untitled”

By: Thomas R.—6^th grade

Harold Washington Elementary School

Our beloved community

We are a unity

Where we can have fun

And be serious when fun is done

We will smile together

Til the day is done

And we will join together in the sun

“Untitled”

By: Joshua J. – 3^rd grade

Frank Reilly Elementary School

A lovely city in the world

Not cruel or nasty

The heart in the world of beauty

And not junky

Saving the world in my body

Night and day will be lovely

Lights to Equality

By: Jeanie H. – 5^th grade

Philip Rogers Elementary School

It’s time to walk hand in hand,

It’s time for a world of equality,

It matters not what you are, or whom you claim to be,

You’re you, and that’s good enough for me.

Can’t we see who we are,

Our hearts have strayed too far.

Everyone wants happiness,

No one wants pain.

But you can’t have a rainbow,

Without a little rain.

Martin Luther King Jr.

By: Coura M. – 5^th grade

Phillip Rogers Elementary School

Martin, Martin, Martin

What good you have done

We have all come together

United as one

Love, peace, and respect

You have brought to us

Without your courage, and bravery

Who might we trust

Thank you for your hard work

Risking your life for us

You will be in our hearts forever