Our first Spoken Word Poetry Jam event, held on May 4, 2019, was a huge success! We knew we had many talented students in our Daly City schools, but these performers really impressed us with the sincerity of their original words and the depth of their feeling, showing maturity beyond their years (as well as bravery for getting on stage in front of a mall crowd!).

It was an amazing community event, and we're grateful to our community leaders who came to support our students and the DCPLA: Daly City Councilmember Pamela DiGiovanni, Daly City Library Board of Trustees members Marcel Balmeo and Lauren Arzaga Daus, Jefferson Elementary School District Board member Clayton Koo, Supervisor David Canepa's Chief of Staff Atanacio Bayudan Jr, and Vice Mayor Glenn Sylvester's wife Nida Soriben Sylvester. Not to mention, our DCPLA Board members: Jefferson Union High School District Trustee Rosie Tejada, Serramonte Marketing and Events Manager Marie Lizette and former Daly City Library Trustee Bill Lex.

We also got a special surprise performance from former Daly City Mayor Mike Guingona's son Kai Guingona, who enthralled everyone with his charismatic musical act.

This event couldn't have happened without the dedication of Jefferson Elementary School District teacher Luisa Santos, who recruited and mentored the students (and gave amazing performances, herself), and Serramonte Center, which graciously provided the venue for the students to express themselves.