CHICAGO (CBS) — Students from 13 South Side Chicago Public Schools and some community groups go at it in competition this evening, where the kids will be flexing their creative muscles.

As WBBM Newsradio’s Bernie Tafoya reports, the Second Annual South Side Youth Poetry Competition is set for 5 p.m. Thursday at Curie Metropolitan High School, 4959 S. Archer Ave.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Bernie Tafoya reports

Englewood High School senior Jeremy Johnson figures he has written more than 800 poems.

“I started writing poetry when I was about 9 years old,” he said.

Johnson’s fellow team Englewood senior, Keith Warfield, feels compelled to write whenever a poem comes to him.

“Android tablets, my phone, my hand, paper” are among the media Warfield says he has used to commit his poems to writing, as well as, “sad to say, maybe a wall or two.”

Teacher Dave Stieber is Johnson and Warfield’s coach.

“It’s just really empowering to see young people get onstage, share their stories, and see how kids from different parts of the city connect and bond,” he said.