Annual Peach Blossom Festival at Fresno State

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Words and stories are powerful. Thursday, Thousands of Valley elementary students brought them to life at Fresno State.

Manchester Gate students performed a poem called "Hands" at the Annual Peach Blossom Festival of oral interpretation. The students say they're learning more than words.

Vera Price said, "We've learned how to perform and act like no one is there, like a poem can say a lot about you and how comfortable you are with other people."

Anli Winters added, "This kind of helps so I don't get so many butterflies anymore."

The event is draws thousands of students from elementary schools across Central California to the Fresno State campus. Some students prepared weeks leading up to the performance in front of their families and judges at Fresno State.

The students also had a chance to tour the college campus and get inspired for their futures.