Nebraska Slam Champion
Melias
Winner
Melias has earned a spot in the National BlackBerry Peach Slam Competition in Albuquerque, NM, on July 23-26 where he will compete against the top 43 artists in the nation. You can help cover his costs by donating here. Ben Wenzl will be the alternate if Melias is unable to attend.
Melias is a homegrown Nebraskan whose passion for poetry began as a creative outlet to cope with life’s challenges.
He made his spoken word debut in his high school’s theater and arts program.
A frequent practitioner of meditation and mindfulness, Melias draws inspiration from the prairie and the beautiful people of his everyday life.
Nebraska Slam Championship
Top Three
Final Competitors
1st Place: Melias
2nd Place: Ben Wenzl
3rd Place: WayOfLife
From left to right: Sam Nichols, Melias, WayOfLife, Ben Wenzl, Jules Coral, Sam Lee
(Nathan Lachner, MC) Unavailable for photo: Revolt
Competitors earned a spot in the finals championship after qualifying in Lincoln or Omaha.
BlackBerry Peach National Poetry Slam
July 23-28, 2025
at: Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel
Albuquerque, New Mexico
The National Competition is limited to 44 of the top spoken word poets from across the country. It is held by the National Federation of State Poetry Societies (NFSPS).
The Nebraska Poetry Society will reserve and pay the Berth ($185) for the winning poet from the NPS National Slam Tryouts. The winning poet will also receive a meal stipend. NPS will assist the winning poet in fundraising efforts to cover hotel and travel expenses.
Prizes
First Place: $2,000
Second Place: $1,000
Third Place: $500
Fourth Place: $250
Fifth-Twelfth Place: $125
Sacrificial poet will receive $100
BlackBerry Peach National Slam Poetry Competition Itinerary
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 Friday, July 25, 2025
2:00 p.m. | Slam orientation 11:00 p.m. | NUPIC
6:30 p.m. | Prelims (Bouts 1 and 2)
8:30 p.m. | Prelims (Bouts 3 and 4) Saturday, July 26, 2025
10:30 p.m. | Themed Open Mic 6:30 p.m. | Haiku Slam
8:30 p.m. | Final Stage
Thursday, July 24, 2025 11:00 p.m. | Open Mic
6:30 p.m. | Prelims (Bouts 5 and 6)
8:30 p.m. | Prelims (Bouts 7 and 8)
10:30 p.m. | Themed Open Mic
Enchanting Words Poetry Convention
July 23-28, 2025
at: Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Register for Enchanting Words Poetry Convention
Conference $125
All Meals Package $351
Schedule
WEDNESDAY, July 23
9:00–3:00: Registration table opens
0:30–12:00: Open Mic Poetry Reading
12:00: Lunch on your own
10:00–3:00: Book Room Opens
2:00–3:00: Slam Orientation
3:00–4:30: Mini Workshop Sampler
3:00–5:30: NFSPS and New Mexico Speakers
5:30m–6:30: Pizza Party! Welcome to the Land of Enchantment
6:30–8:00: Reception Cash Bar
6:30–11:00: Blackberry Peach Poetry Slam ROUND ONE
THURSDAY, July 24,
9:30–5:00: Registration table opens
10:00–12:00: PANEL DISCUSSION, Moderator: Mary Oishi
Julie Cummings, Steven Concert, Palowski Moore, Scott Wiggerman
12:30: Lunch
1:00–4:00: Book Room opens for sale of books
1:30–2:00: Janet Ruth The Villanelle: Musicality of Rhyme and Repeated Lines
2:15–2:45: Jules Nyquist Writing a Roundelay
2:45–4:00: Write and Share
4:00–5:00: Book Room- meet authors and book signings
5:00–8:00: Reception Cash Bar
5:00– 6:15: OPENING Dinner
6:30–11:00: Blackberry Peach Poetry Slam ROUND TWO
11:00–12:00: Open Mic Poetry Reading
FRIDAY, July 25,
7:30–8:30: Open Mic Poetry Reading
10:00–11:00: Youth Poetry Workshop
11:15–12:15: Youth Poetry Workshop
11:00–12: Workshop for Adults with Diane Glancy
12:15–2:15: Luncheon - Taco Party
1:30–3:00m: Fun activity/fellowship for Youth Festival
2:45–4:15: YOU BE THE JUDGE
3:15–4:15: Youth Poetry Workshop
4:30–6:00: Youth Poetry Slam and open mic for all registrants
6:00–8:00: Reception Cash Bar
6:30–8:30: Dinner - ANNOUNCEMENT OF ADULT SLAM FINALISTS
7:30–8:30: CUP Winners
8:45–10:00: Open Mic Poetry Reading
10:00 –12:00: NU PIC (slam event-all are welcome!)
New Mexico Poetry Society Showcase Day
SATURDAY, July 26,
7:30–8:30: Open Mic poetry reading
10:30–12:30: Performance Poetry Workshop
12:30–1:45: Luncheon
2:00–3:00: New Mexico Showcase
3:00–4:15: John Roche: Punctuate Your Poem for Punch
4:30–5:00: Autograph signing at book room for Speakers
5:00– 8:00: Reception Cash Bar
5:00–6:15: Dinner
5:45: Lauren Camp New Mexico Poet Laureate Showcased Poet
6:30–11:00: Blackberry Peach Poetry Slam, OUND THREE: FINALS
SUNDAY, July 27
8:00–9:00: Open Mic Poetry Reading
9:30–11:45: PANEL DISCUSSION: Every Culture has a Poem, Michelle Otero - Moderator
Naomi Shihab Nye, Diane Glancy, Lauren Camp, Hakim Bellamy, Kayleigh Stevens, Damien Flores
12:00–1:00: Luncheon
2:00–4:00: NAOMI SHAHIB NYE Poetry Reading
4:15–4:30: Autograph signing for keynote
6:00–8:00: Reception Cash Bar
6:00–8:30: Gala Dinner for all! Dress up in your finest!
7:30–8:30: Keynote Address Naomi Shihab Nye