Emotional, empowering stories from the lives of Lawrence students will sound out from a Kansas City stage this weekend.

Free State High School’s slam poetry team recently earned a spot in the finals of the KC “Louder than a Bomb” competition. Poets from FSHS will join students from Paseo Academy, Raytown High and Shawnee Mission South at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Gem Theater in Kansas City, Mo.

The competition, inspired by a Chicago event of the same name, is all about “validating young people, letting their voices be heard,” according to Free State faculty co-sponsor Brandon Wolak.

“They’re talking about race, sexuality,” Wolak said. “They’re talking about life.”

The team — “growing every day” but headlined by juniors Grace Eason and Khaury El-Amin, and sophomores Lauren Brittain, Mariah Houston, Rowan Plinsky and Kahler Wiebe — was organized by Wolak and fellow English teacher Andrew Martin this semester after students watched the 2010 documentary “Louder than a Bomb.”

“We thought this would be a fun thing to try,” Wolak said, “but it’s turned into a really big deal.”

The Firebirds won their first bout March 12 at Rockhurst University, took second in the semifinals March 23 at the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City, and on Saturday will compete for a chance to perform at the Brave New Voices international poetry event this summer in Atlanta.

No matter Saturday’s outcome, Wolak and Martin say this is just the beginning.

“It’s been great to see the students from different walks of life coming together,” Wolak said. “It’s bringing our students together. It’s bringing our school together. It’s bringing our community together.”

Next, the sponsors would like to add a fall event, get more students involved, and explore new venues and experiences for the up-and-coming poets.

“Keep an eye on us,” Wolak said. “We’re looking to grow this and get all these kids stories’ out and heard.”

Tickets to Saturday’s KC “Louder than a Bomb” final are available for $10 through TicketMaster.com.