The inaugural McKinney Poetry Slam-Off lived up to the hype, as a large turn-out filled the seats at Saxby's Coffee last Saturday night to see "Dionysus Don" Mathis outduel rival poet A.J. Chilson to become the first-ever poetry slam champion in McKinney.

Mathis scored a three-round total of 84.0, opposed to Chilson's 83.4. For their collective efforts, both poets will be members of McKinney's first ever poetry slam team, which will tour with teams in Dallas and Fort Worth.

"Dionysus Don" Mathis has been involved in the poetry scene for many years, whether in his former home of San Antonio, or in his current residence of Sherman. There, he serves as president of the Texoma Poetry Society, a chapter of the Poetry Society of Texas. He is a single father, the editor/publisher of The Fourteen Percenter, and he currently volunteers at The Rehabilitation Center in Sherman.

Our best wishes go out to all the members of the McKinney Poetry Slam, as they make their first run at the National Poetry Slam this summer. For more information, please check out their website at www.meetup.com/McKinneySlam.