SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) - The University of St. Martin (USM) hosted Lit Night @ USM on Thursday, September 10, bringing students, faculty, staff and members of the wider community together for an evening of poetry, spoken word, storytelling and creative expression.
The event was held in recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day under the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.” Many attendees wore yellow as a symbol of hope, support and solidarity, while every visitor received a yellow ribbon upon entering the campus.
Before the performances began, USM Counselor Dr. Carole Joseph shared warm words of encouragement and reflected on the importance of checking in on others, speaking openly about mental health and reminding those who may be struggling that they are not alone.
The evening featured a diverse group of performers from across the USM community, including USM degree student Erwin Romney; GED student Yohan James; GED Coordinator Ms. Lisa Burnett-Davis; Executive Secretary Ms. Khalinia Brown; Dean of the General Liberal Arts and Education Division Mrs. Juliana Shipley-Hodge; and holistic healer Nkosazana Illis.
Each performer brought a unique voice and perspective to the stage, sharing original pieces that reflected personal experiences, creativity and a passion for literature.
The open-mic segment added even more energy to the evening, as several attendees stepped forward to share their work.
Stretch R performed several of his pieces, while USM student Jaleela shared a piece she had written several years ago. Nathannia also presented her work, and Erwin Romney returned to the stage with another performance.
The evening concluded with a presentation by Destinee Maison, a USM student enrolled in the SPE 116 Group Dynamics and Public Speaking course.
During the event, Dean Shipley-Hodge announced that USM is working toward the publication of a literary magazine. Students, faculty, staff and members of the community will be encouraged to submit their work for consideration. The publication will provide another platform to showcase the natural talent found throughout USM and the wider St. Maarten community.
USM extends its appreciation to the faculty members who supported the event and allowed their students to participate in the literature evening. Their encouragement helped create an opportunity for students to develop their confidence, share their voices and connect learning inside the classroom with creative expression outside of it.
Lit Night @ USM demonstrated the power of the arts to bring people together, encourage meaningful conversations and create a stronger sense of community. Through poetry, spoken word and storytelling, the evening reminded everyone in attendance that every voice matters and that creativity can be a powerful source of connection, healing and hope.
