Famous Slam Poet Mayda del Valle to perform at Williams College

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Mayda del Valle, Goodrich Hall at Williams College, Nov. 5. 7 p.m.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - The Williams College Vista organization will kick off its month-long celebration of Latino Heritage Month with a surprise visit by spoken word poet and actress Mayda del Valle '00.  She will perform in Goodrich Hall at 7 p.m., tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 5. The event is free and open to the public.

del Valle has been described by the Chicago Sun Times as having "a way with words. Sometimes they seem to flutter and roll off her lips. Other times they burst forth like a comet streaking across a nighttime sky."

A nationally known poet and performer, del Valle is the daughter of Puerto Rican parents and grew up in Chicago.

In May, she was honored to perform at the White House for President Barack Obama and the First Lady.


del Valle has appeared on many high profile stages, including six episodes of Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on HBO and touring with Norman Lear's Declare Yourself Spoken Word Tour.

She was a contributing writer and original cast member of the Tony Award winning Def Poetry Jam on Broadway and has appeared in Urban Latino, Latina Magazine, Mass Appeal, The Source, and The New York Times.

del Valle was named by Smithsonian Magazine as one of America's Young Innovators in the Arts and Sciences, and was featured in the September issue of Oprah's O Magazine as one of 20 women considered remarkable visionaries.
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St. Stan's Students Spread Holiday Cheer at Williamstown Commons

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Students from St. Stanislaus Kostka School  in Adams brought the holiday spirit to Williamstown Commons on Thursday, delivering handmade Christmas cards and leading residents in a community caroling session.
 
"It honestly means the world to us because it means the world to them," said nursing home Administrator Alex Fox on Thursday morning. "This made their days. This could have even made their weeks. It could have made their Christmas, seeing the children and interacting with the community."
 
Teacher Kate Mendonca said this is the first year her class has visited the facility, noting that the initiative was driven entirely by the students.
 
"This came from the kids. They said they wanted to create something and give back," Mendonca said. "We want our students involved in the community instead of just reading from a religion book."
 
Preparation for the event began in early December, with students crafting bells to accompany their singing. The handmade cards were completed last week.
 
"It's important for them to know that it's not just about them during Christmas," Mendonca said. "It's about everyone, for sure. I hope that they know they really helped a lot of people today and hopefully it brought joy to the residents here."
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