Greensboro poet laureate guest judges Elon Law poetry contest

Performing original works of poetry in front of classmates and friends is one thing. It’s something else entirely when you’re judged by one of the best poet’s in the region.

Elon University School of Law’s 5th Annual “High Rhymes & Misdemeanors” Poetry Slam on October 19, 2023, witnessed law students and staff read original works before dozens of audience members gathered in the Cemala Foundation Commons.

Serving on the three-judge panel was none other than Greensboro Poet Laureate Josephus Thompson III, who performed two of his own works in a program for community members to flex their rhetorical muscles and creative might with poetry focused on the law and social justice.

Sydney T. Kofi Ladans L’23 took home the top award from judges for “The 3L’s Prayer.” It was the second consecutive year that Ladans claimed the top prize – he won in 2022 with “May We Rise.”

“Being able to perform in front of classmates and faculty in the commons was a nice change of pace,” Ladans said. “I think poetry is a powerful artform that is often overlooked and I celebrate the fact that Greensboro has its own poet laureate. My poetry comes from a more solemn place, so I’m grateful to those that appreciated hearing my words. I encourage anyone interested in poetry to simply give it a try.”

Hosted by Elon Law’s Legal Method & Communication Program with support from Elon University’s Center for Writing Excellence, the poetry slam coincided again with the National Day on Writing established by the National Council of Teachers of English.

1st Place & People’s Choice Award (Selected by Audience Vote)

“The 3L’s Prayer”
Sydney T. Kofi Ladans L’23

2nd Place

“5%”
Savannah Stinson L’25

3rd Place (Tie)

“Lemons to Law”
Mary Spektor L’25

“An Attorney According to Shakespeare”
Brigid Tournoux L’25

2023 Judges

• Josephus Thompson III, Greensboro Poet Laureate
• Catherine Wasson, Associate Professor of Law
• Emmanuel Agyemang-Dua L’22, Judicial Law Clerk for the State of North Carolina

Greensboro Poet Laureate Josephus Thompson, III

Sydney T. Kofi Ladans L'23

Brigid Tournoux L’25

Savannah Stinson L’25

Mary Spektor L'25

Chuom Prak L'24

Elon Law staff member Danny Little

From left: Poetry slam judges Associate Professor Catherine Wasson, Emmanuel Agyemang-Dua L’22, and Josephus Thompson, III

Elon Law Dean Zak Kramer

Professor Steve Friesland with Elon Law staff member Danny Little

Hosted by Elon Law’s Legal Method & Communication Program with support from Elon University’s Center for Writing Excellence, the 5th annual "High Rhymes & Misdemeanors" Poetry Slam featured performances by five law students and a law staff member, plus two poetry performances by Josephus Thompson III, the City of Greensboro’s first Poet Laureate. Thompson served as one of three judges alongside Emmanuel Agyemang-Dua L’22 and Associate Professor Catherine Wasson. Sydney T. Kofi Ladans L’23 won first place in the contest for the second year in a row.

Emmanuel Agyemang-Dua L’22 greets Greensboro Poet Laureate Josephus Thompson III prior to the competition.