This team has become a family to me. There are no words that can express what Teo, Maxis, Celestelle, Wesly, Maylin, Steffon, Christell, and Momo did for me. The inspiration they gave me, the advice, the love they've shown me knows no bounds. I can wholeheartedly say that being on this team brings joy to me and I wouldn't regret doing anything with them.

Al Alexandre

When you hit that stage, empty your soul and quiet your doubts. It's time to give your life to your words.

Steffon Dixon

Every year that I am on this team, I become more fearless. Performing will never be easy for me, but I don’t want it to be. The courage to open my mouth and speak comes from my team. I draw strength from their talent. Teo's directions echo in my ear and allow me to push myself. This applies in every aspect of my life now. The phrases we use before performing, "go in, Ashe, purpose" are the same phrases I use whenever I'm ready to take a risk. I am eternally grateful to my team, my coaches, and Tigertail for installing this fearlessness in me. I will use wherever I go.

Maylin Enamorado

I am so blessed to be a part of this team. There are not enough words to describe how amazing this summer has been both physically and spiritually. As spoken word poets, we step into new realities by allowing ourselves to immerse in the ugly and beauty of this world. We carry the suffering of others so that we can heal what hasn't been broken yet. Storytelling is more than just spitting on stage. It is an act of compassion and empathy for whom or what we write about.

Momo Manalang R

We started the summer as a team but we finished it as a family. Teo and Maxis along with the entire Tigertail WordSpeak team have once again gave me an amazing learning experience.

Wesly Oviedo

All I've ever wanted was to move someone with my poetry, and activate their hearts with the art I have in me. Tigertail WordSpeak has harvested me so fully that I'm finally able to see it happen. With my team I basked in the essence of art, in the fervor of competition (with the Miami Heat & BNV), and in the unity of passion. Aside my own supportive and loving family, I learned how to extend the love of my own family to my teammates. We saw each other at our weakest and strongest moments, and proved one by one that we are units of a system beyond us. Tigertail WordSpeak helped developed lifelong friendships that I will forever be thankful for, and connections that can now only be built upon.

As a second year "veteran" I underwent another artistic resurgence, and my individual lifestyle solidified in it's positively refined change from the year prior. I came back looking to learn more, and to no avail my coach Teo Castellanos was like a walking library - a suitcase packed with knowledge- and it was amazing to work alongside an accomplished artist and individual. The assistant coach Maxis Madé, was a friend and fellow director. She helped to advise, encourage, and inspire! I'm grateful for her presence on the team as well.

To Mary Luft, thank you once again. Whenever I think of you, I'm reminded of what my parents raised me on: "To whom much is given, much is required. "You've strung together a little family who only desires to make you, our families, and our city proud. Thank you for believing in us. I will take all that I learned from WordSpeak with me to Columbia College Chicago.

Christell Roach

Tigertail has given me the opportunity to develop new lenses that enable me to understand and view the world in a way I never thought possible. Through Teo's direction and the team's dynamics, I am able to have compassion for the experiences I've had and the experiences of others. Through writing and performing I am able to heal myself and others and that is a gift given strictly by grace. I am forever grateful to Tigertail.

Celestelle Webster