St. John’s University and the New York Knicks have long shared the hardwood of Madison Square Garden. But starting this year, these two institutions have begun an entirely new and academic-based partnership: providing deserving students with affordable education as part of the NY Knicks/Urban Word Poetry Slam Program. St. John’s announced in February that it will fund two full-year scholarships and twenty $5,000 scholarships to metropolitan-area high school seniors who win the Spoken Word and Written Word portions of the Knicks Poetry Slam competition. “Through this partnership, St. John’s is delighted to encourage creativity and the pursuit of a higher education among young people in the New York area,” said Beth M. Evans, Vice President for Enrollment Management. “The effort reflects our continuing desire to assist promising students from throughout our region, across the country and around the world.” Created in 2003, the Knicks Poetry Slam provides opportunities for high school students to creatively express themselves through written and spoken word. It serves over 20,000 students annually through school visits, a Poetry Open Audition, a college fair, workshops, poetry slams and social media. High school students who participate in the Poetry Slam can register for either a Spoken Word or Written Word contest. Those who enter the Spoken Word competition must audition in front of three judges, participate in workshops and compete against fellow student poets. Written Word registrants must submit a portfolio of original work, write an essay entitled “Why I Write,” and demonstrate community service. St. John’s is one of four institutions – including Adelphi University, Mercy College and the University of Wisconsin – to participate in this program.