Literature project urges students out of comfort zones

Through several disciplines, the University of South Dakota works to help students embrace their creative side.

One organization, the Vermillion Literary Project, is devoted to promoting creative writing and contemporary poetry to all ages, stretching from the campus into the community.

The project had the first of its poetry slam-style open mic nights Sept. 25, where students and community members of any experience and skill level were welcomed to present their writing.

Nontraditional first-year Jordan Olson was one of the participants to showcase his work in front of the small crowd of about 20.

“It was nerve-racking and very intimidating at first,” Olson said.

However, Olson said he is open to attending the event again.

“The first time is the hardest, but you only live once,” he said.

The events, to which some 50-100 attend, according to club adviser Marcella Remund, are usually hosted by a familiar face in the creative writing world and are open to the public.

The first night was hosted by Greg Harries, a writer from Omaha, Neb., who was nominated for the Best Slam Poet in the 2013 Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards.

Harries showcased some of his award-winning work, gave a teaser to his new projects and spent time encouraging the crowd to share some of their own works.

Aside from the open mic night, the project works to get the younger generation interested in writing.

“The Sorcerer’s Apprentice Writing Group is for younger kids — middle school-and high school-aged students — to learn a few things about writing,” said junior Jordan Salvas, president of the project.

Remund said the 25 members in the project help to produce the Vermillion Literary Project Magazine every spring.

“It’s the biggest project the organization works on,” Remund said. “We get around 400 entries from the community and from all around the world.”

Open mic nights are hosted the last Thursday of every month in the Muenster University Center Pit Lounge, with the next one scheduled Oct. 30. Because it’s the day before Halloween, Remund said the organization is encouraging participants to dress in costumes.

The organization is also busy working on some of the numerous events they have planned for the semester.

“We also have a short story contest coming up,” Remund said. “Participants will receive a prompt at the contest and have to write a short story based on the prompt they receive.
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Standing on stage and sharing an intimate piece of poetry can be scary, especially when one of the event descriptions described the slams a a place where even “earth-visiting aliens” are encouraged to come, but Salvas said there is no need to panic.

“There are a few people who may have been earth-visiting aliens, but they didn’t tell us,” Salvas said. “I would love to find them and ask them.”

(Photo: First year non-traditional student Jordan Olson reads a story during open mic night in the Muester University Center Pit Lounge Sept. 25. Submitted photo / The Volante)