Ruby Russell '20 Makes it to Poetry Slam Finals



"Ballet class is where little girls are taught to manipulate their brains into thinking their bodies are not already a masterpiece... Now I'm learning how to walk without silk marionette strings. Today I dance with Doc Martens." — Ruby Russell '20

On April 14, Ruby performed with her group, "Books of Hope" at the preliminary competition weekend at Suffolk University. A lot has happened since!

At the April 14 slam, she qualified for the semi-finals, which took place on Monday April 23. She then went on to beat that round and advance to the Grand Slam Finals of Mass Leap's Louder than a Bomb Massachusetts! There, she performed a poem titled, "Ballet Class", a poem about her experiences growing up in, and eventually walking away from, the toxic atmosphere of dance training.

At the grand slam, Ruby also performed with her group, "Books of Hope" who placed 4th in the finals. Next up for our CSW poet is competing in the final rounds of a qualifying competition called "The Yung House Grand Slam Finals." She will be competing on May 5 to be on a team of five representing Boston in the worldwide Slam "Brave New Voices" held in Texas this summer. 

Congratulations Ruby!! We are so proud of you and the passion you have for spreading positivity through spoken word.

The Yung House Grand Slam Finals take place:

Saturday, May 5, 2018
Bruce C. Bolling Building 
2300 Washington St. Roxbury
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Free for youth; $3- $5 for those 20+

Campus News

Meet CSW Students



CSW—a gender-inclusive day and boarding school for grades 9-12—is a national leader in progressive education. We live out our values of inquiry-based learning, student agency, and embracing diverse perspectives in every aspect of our student experience. Young people come to CSW to learn how to learn and then put what they learn into action—essential skills they carry into their futures as doers, makers, innovators, leaders, and exceptional humans who do meaningful work in the world.