Burlington, South Burlington High School Poets Write And Perform To Create Change

Vermont Public | By Ric Cengeri,

Published April 27, 2016 at 12:00 PM EDT

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Vermont high school students perform slam poetry. We're talking to "Muslim Girls Making Change" about how they're using their art to work for change.

Sarah Gliech / Young Writers Project

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Members of "Muslim Girls Making Change" from left to right: Lena Ginawi, Hawa Adam, Balkisa Abdikadir and Kiran Waqar.

Emily Alfin Johnson / VPR File

Four Vermont high school sophomores are using slam poetry to challenge stereotypes about the Muslim community. Calling themselves "Muslim Girls Making Change," they're representing the state at a national slam poetry festival this summer.

At the tail end of National Poetry Month, we're talking to four young women using the art form to make a difference.

We're joined by Balkisa Abdikadir and Hawa Adam from Burlington High School and Lena Ginawi and KiranWaqar from South Burlington High School.

You can see some videos of Muslim Girls Making Change and donate to help them get to the Brave New Voices poetry festival this summer at their website.

Watch our full interview at the Vermont Edition Facebook page or check it out below.

Also on the program: the ukulele's popularity has exploded. Musician DwayneDoner, who has been playing ukulele for 17 years, provides a primer on the instrument and plays a couple tunes live.

Broadcast live on Wed., April 27, 2016 at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

Vermont high school students perform slam poetry. We're talking to "Muslim Girls Making Change" about how they're using their art to work for change.