Blair mental health committee hosts first open mic

Blair mental health committee hosts first open mic

Photo: Blair mental health committee hosts first open mic (Courtesy of Blair Counseling).

Blair mental health committee hosts first open mic (Courtesy of Blair Counseling).

On Jan. 31, the Blair mental health committee hosted its first open mic. Nine Blazers stepped up to the mic to perform a variety of songs and poetry in the media center. According to mental health committee counselor Antia Reddicks, the event was a success. “It was a great turnout [and]…students were engaged… I think it was a breath of fresh air,” she said. She hopes that in the future the committee continues to host events like this. 

Tuesday’s open mic consisted of a variety of performances. Junior Jason Pena and sophomore Ruchel Limbos read their original poetry. Sophomore Laurie Anton-Williams read “Voiceover” by Rita Dove. Junior Zoë Kaiser and senior Iane Cunningham stepped up to the mic for a slam poetry performance, and so did seniors Katalina Li and Elina Lee. 

The musical acts of the night consisted of guitar/singing performances from junior Maggie Crow, junior Lillian Paterson, and sophomore Miles Fisher who, respectively, performed “Cleopatra” by the Lumineers, “Devil Town” by Cavetown, and “Love at First Sight” by The Brobecks. Freshman Katherine Bonnell also came up to sing “Razzmatazz” by I Don’t Know How But They Found Me. 

Bonell would love for this to become a regular event at Blair. “I don’t feel like I get enough opportunities personally to sing solo, so this would be great to have as a regular [event],” she said. 

According to Limbos, the open mic was a good way to contribute to school spirit and community. “I think it would be a good idea if it became a more consistent [event], and maybe it would encourage new performers to come in and new people to watch,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity for people to share their art form with others and get support.”

Reddicks hopes that the mental health committee will continue to organize events such as this. “In talking to some of the students around the room, it sounds like something they would be interested in doing… more in the future,” she said. 

Editor's Note: Performers at the open mic include Katie Li, an Editor-in-Chief of SCO, and Lillian Paterson, a member of SCO.