Student poet works to raise awareness of Chicago teen violence

Most students come to college hoping to find a direction, or possibly even a purpose in life. Some find it, while for others the quest continues for years. But Demetrius Amparan already knew his purpose when he arrived at Valparaiso University.

Amparan grew up on Chicago's South Side in the Morgan Park neighborhood. At school, he kept himself focused on the positive, serving as student body vice president, a mentor for younger students and a member of the academic decathlon team.

But outside his school, the violence was always present.

"It was everywhere," Amparan said. "School would get out in the middle of the afternoon, but I would stay until late in the evening just to avoid the dangers and problems that were waiting outside."

He faced the deaths of friends killed in gang warfare and witnessed countless others wounded in the conflict, and that extreme loss was more than enough to fuel a new passion in the then 17-year old. Amparan teamed up with a friend to write a poem about teen violence in Chicago that they performed at the national Brave New Voices youth poetry slam in 2008.

"Lost Count: A Love Story" was awarded third place in the national contest and can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVD-HsHoUNM. But the contest was just the beginning of what has become a personal mission for Amparan.

The Valpo sophomore is pursuing a major in sociology, and working on a research project with Dr. Lissa Yogan, associate professor of sociology and criminology, to gain insight into the core of the problem that plagues so many of Chicago's teenagers.

“Dr. Yogan has really helped me realize my abilities, and helped me along the way with developing my ideas and sharpening my skills so that I can move forward on this path in life,” Amparan said.

Amparan plans to supplement his degree with elements of public speaking, creating a "performance sociology" degree that will be a foundation for him to spread his message about the violence that is still killing friends in his former neighborhood and beyond.

"I hope to use my writing and public speaking skills, combined with my new knowledge of sociology, to help people in the type of situation I grew up in," Amparan said.