34_JACKSONIAN_ALUMNI IN ACTION
on t h e mov e:
ONE POET, ONE SCIENTIST BY MONICA ATKINS
or most college seniors, the excitement of getting cleared for graduation, ordering a cap and gown, and anticipating the big walk across stage at commencement are some of the most rewarding parts of the college experience. In the case of Tori “Scarlette” Thompson, graduating was not merely an accomplishment, but an illustration of the lessons learned through her years at JSU. “Jackson State taught me the value of organization, punctuality and taught me to be self-sufficient,” says the 23-year-old, who graduated in the spring of 2011 with a degree in music education. One month before getting her diploma, Thompson proved her self-sufficiency by publishing her first book of poetry and songs, Scarlette’s Letters. The collection includes 60 poems and songs. “I was always exposed to literature in my household,” Thompson says. “In grade school I was the only person who got an A on all types of poetry genre assignments. After that I said, ‘I like poetry. This is fun.’ ”
The Toledo, Ohio, native, who is known as Scarlette in the spoken word realm, says her love of poetry grew after her first year of college. She realized her writing notebook was extensive and her voice deserved to be heard. “I wanted to start a new organization that supported poets, orators, dancers, DJs, artists, and anyone with any type of creative bone in their body,” the magna cum laude graduate says. During her sophomore year, Thompson organized and chartered a poetry society that gave voice to artists across campus. The group is called OutSpoken and now claims 40 members. “OutSpoken has given a voice to the voiceless and inspiration where it was needed,” says Kentrice Rush, a 21-year-old marketing major and current president of OutSpoken. “It only exists because of Tori’s vision.”