Elon Law students find voice through verse at annual poetry slam

Humor, heartache, and poignant observations on lives led and lost. Poets laureate waxing lyrical on themes of self and society. And a chief justice rapping.

These are just a few of the reasons the “High Rhymes & Misdemeanors” Poetry Slam has become a highlight of the academic year at Elon Law in Greensboro and now Charlotte.

Across the two campuses, 11 students and five members of faculty and staff brought their perspectives on law and life to the microphone Oct. 23, 2025. The annual poetry slam is in its seventh year in downtown Greensboro and its first in Charlotte’s Flex Program (though the Queen City campus held its first contest in March for the inaugural cohort of Flex students).

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

Sounding off in Greensboro

In Greensboro, seven students performed original works for a three-judge panel that included Greensboro Poet Laureate Josephus Thompson III, Professor of Law Sue Liemer and former Chief Justice of the N.C. Supreme Court Cheri Beasley, also Elon Law’s Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Professor of Law. It was the third time Thompson, who also hosts a syndicated podcast, has judged and participated in Elon Law’s competition, this year reciting “Dear You.”

Millennium Russell L’25 took the first place for “Best Interest,” about a friend’s ongoing, six-year child custody battle. A first-time participant, she entered to build confidence in her public speaking skills.

“I was torn between two poems, but everyone said this one was powerful, so I went with it,” Russell said. “All of the poems were wonderful, and everyone deserved recognition. It was also poetic that there were seven participants for the seventh year of the slam. I liked that symmetry.”

Lyrical voices in Charlotte

In Charlotte, four Flex students performed for judges Junious “Jay” Ward, the city’s poet laureate; Caroleen Dineen, associate professor of law and director of the Legal Method & Communication Program; and Dena King, partner with of Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein. Ward returned for a second time to judge the Flex Program competition, performing his piece “Critical Blues Theory.”

Flex 2 student Nadia Mazza won for “When the Honeymoon Ends,” a sequel to her March-winning poem.

“I was truly inspired by the way our community came together — students, faculty and esteemed guests alike — to honor individuality, creativity, and growth,” Mazza said. “It was a privilege to experience such a uniquely vulnerable moment of connection.”

Student Awards – Greensboro

1st Place
“Best Interest”
Millennium Russell L’25

2nd Place
“The Oppression Olympics”
Savannah Stinson L’25

3rd Place (tie)
“Begin with Belief”
Julian Sizemore L’27

“Died Twice”
Marlaisha Vereen L’27

People’s Choice Award (Selected by Audience Vote)
“Died Twice”
Marlaisha Vereen L’27

Student Awards – Charlotte

1st Place
“When the Honeymoon Ends”
Nadia Mazza, Flex 2 student

2nd Place (tie)
“Your Honor, est. 2025”
Somer Dice, Flex 1 student

“Imposter Thoughts”
Kayla Price, Flex 2 student

3rd Place
“Little Bird”
Jack Randolph, Flex 2 student

Staff Performances

“Responsibility”
Cheri Beasley, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Professor at Elon Law

“A New Beginning”
Emma Butterworth, Staff Director of the Flex Program

“1:37”
Kris Caudle, Assistant Professor of Law

“Flex 2”
Aimee Durant, Assistant Professor of Law

Janet Keefer, Adjunct Professor of Law