Humanities Amped

Mark you calendars--Fresh Heat: Teen Open Mic is back, and submissions for the Teen Zine are open! We're kicking off the 2026-27 season at Youth City Lab on Thurs, October 22. Head to humanitiesamped.org/fresh-heat to learn more!

If you'd like to support this dedicated space for youth voice, you can make a donation today at givebutter.com/AmpedFreshHeat.

Are you a Louisiana State Employee? Humanities Amped is proud to participate in this year's State Combined Charitable Campaign through the Louisiana Association of United Ways! Follow the instructions at www.LASCCC.org to make your pledge!

From the time the doors of Tara High School open until the last bell rings, the Amped Student Life Center is buzzing with activity. Students stop by this welcoming, youth-centered space to connect with trusted adults about challenges they may be facing at school or at home, to take some time in “Get Right” to cool down, or access hygiene products or a snack.

Last year, the SLC served 171 students. This year, we've seen that many students in just the first month of school! Read more about how the SLC promotes wellbeing and belonging at our latest spotlight, humanitiesamped.org/spotlights/people-just-want-to-be-heard-introducing-the-amped-student-life-center, and help us sustain the program by making a donation at https://givebutter.com/ampedslc!

“People Just Want to Be Heard”: Introducing the Amped Student Life Center ​

Humanities Amped is thrilled to announce that local Baton Rouge poet Chancelier "xero" Skidmore has joined our team as our Fresh Heat Network Facilitator! Xero has spent the last 25 years establishing himself as one of the best spoken word artists in the world. He is a 2013 Individual World Poetry Slam champion and co-founder of the Baton Rouge Poetry Alliance (and Fresh Heat itself!). As a professional teaching artist and arts administrator, he has served as Executive Director of Forward Arts and facilitated high-quality learning experiences for adults and young people throughout the United States.

We are excited for xero to lead the next chapter of the Fresh Heat legacy. Stay tuned for this year's Fresh Heat: Teen Open Mic dates--we can't wait to gather with our poetry community at Youth City Lab!

Want to help bring poetry programming to young folks across Baton Rouge? Make a donation here (there's a copy of the Fresh Heat: Teen Zine in it for you!) https://givebutter.com/AmpedFreshHeat

Thank you to the Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation for supporting this work.

Thank you to the Unitarian Church of BR for inviting us to come speak to your Social Justice group last week, and for collecting a shared offering this month that will help sustain our work! We are proud to amplify youth voices with you.

Everyone has a seat at the table! Juniors and Seniors in our Writing the World classes started the year by drafting and coming to consensus on their class agreements. This core Amped practice ensures that students' voices are at the center, and that everyone's ideas are heard and respected. Which agreement are you activating today?

It's SGA Campaign week! These Amped leaders have shared their vision for the school at town hall meetings, and are ready to get to work promoting youth voice across campus!

"Humanities Amped offers a lot to our campus--a lot. They can help you socially, they can help you emotionally. But mainly they're here to help you be a leader." - Principal Hayman

You can support the Amped SGA by donating at givebutter.com/AmpedSGA!

A great school culture doesn't just happen—it’s built by students, for students. The Amped/THS SGA is recruiting dynamic leaders for the 26–27 academic year who are ready to foster connection, belonging, and real progress on our campus.

​What we do:
​Amplify Student Voices: We partner with educators and administration to keep the student body connected and heard.

​Support Student Well-being: From designing campus Get-Right spaces to opening lines of communication, we care about the whole student.

​Host Major Events: Lead the charge on school-wide initiatives, summits, and student-led campaigns.

APPLY TODAY! https://forms.gle/8xV5977hU4uq1bpY8

Interested in your own copy of either the Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 editions of the Fresh Heat: Teen Zine? As a thank you for a donation of $30 or more, we'll send you the edition of your choice (while supplies last). For donations of $50 or more, we'll send you both! givebutter.com/AmpedFreshHeat