Shoaib Sajid from India Takes Home the $100 Prize
A warm and enthusiastic crowd of over 100 students and faculty came out to attend the East-West University Story Slam Finals on November 15th. It was an action packed highly competitive event with some amazing stories.
After five preliminary events with over 80 competitors, the dust finally settled and a diverse group of ten finalists representing three continents and six nations was announced. Here is the list of finalists in no particular order: Munkhsaikhan Nyamdavaa (Mongolia), Alvin Garcia (Philippines), Shoaib Sajid (India), Isaiah Rufus (Chicago), Felix Rodriguez-Nunez (Honduras/Chicagoland), Ekhiah Gipson (Chicago), Brooklyn Taylor (Chicagoland), Dequwa Sanders (Memphis and Chicago), Mario Medessoukou (Benin Republic, Africa), Justus Neal (Brooklyn, New York and East Side of Chicago).
The ten finalists presented stories that gave the audience a thrill, made them laugh and cry, and instilled hard-earned words of wisdom. The ten finalists were narrowed down to three who were all phenomenal and received massive applauds, including Mario Medessoukou from the Benin Republic Africa, Isaiah Rufus from Chicago, and our Story Slam Champion, Shoaib Sajid from India. Shoaib's story of defining his identity on his own terms helped him take home the $100 prize and the Championship Belt.
Watch in January for Shoaib's interview on WGN Radio's After Hours with Rick Kogan.
Thanks to all the competitors and faculty members who made this event a great success!
