Students read their own poetry and stories while others sang songs at the Celebrate Students Open Mic event Tuesday, March 12.

Over 35 faculty, staff and students attended the open mic to celebrate the talents of OCCC’s students. Student Life Director Erin Logan was pleased with the amount of attendees.

“We are very excited. We were not expecting this much of a turnout,”

Sisters Tiffani and Kia Shorter both shared some poetry, while Xavier Griffin and Lizi Slawinski sang.

“I really enjoyed it,” said Psychology major Adriauna Franklin. Franklin did not know that the open mic was happening that day but came in because her friends were.

If they have another open mic session Franklin said she will definitely come and, “I will actually bring people with me.”

Students walked to the front of CU2 amid clapping, shared their pieces and returned to their seats once again with applause. With majors ranging from history to game design, according to the sign in sheet, there was a diversified set of students presenting.

Literature major Jennifer Pennington was the first student to read at the event. Her piece was titled “When I am alone.”

Kathryn Lynn, fiction major shared a short story. She said she attended the open mic because English professor Marybeth McCauley said it would be a good opportunity to practice her work.

“We hope to collaborate more events like this,” Logan said.“It was absolutely fantastic.”

I would come again if they did another event Lynn said. It was really fun getting to hear other people’s stuff. Alexis J. Ward recently played Rose in OCCC’s production of “Fences.” Ward shared a monologue from the play at the open mic.

For more information, contact Student Life at 405-682-7523.