We had a great Poetry Out Loud competition here at CSHS! This was the first year for the competition, and I would like to especially thank Mr. Ellsworth, Ms. Lyons, and Ms. Fry for supporting the contest wholeheartedly. Students in their English classes memorized and recited poems, and the classroom winners competed in the PAC on Jan. 29 for the school title. There were 14 students who competed, Amber V., Corinna H., Wyatt J., Javi S., Devin W., Taelor C., AnaMaria P., Nick Q., Amanda W., Chris R., Cynthia S., Taylor A., Luana P., and Kayla R. They all did an excellent job. It is very difficult to get up and recite poetry on stage in front of your classmates.
Luana, AnaMaria, and Taylor were our top three contestants, and Luana will continue on to the state finals in Tallahassee in March. The winner of the state final will continue to Washington D.C. to compete for $20,000 in scholarship money.
Our judges were Principal Ron Martin, Library Aide Dawn Schurman, District Reading Specialist Rob Taylor, and Island Silver and Spice owner Glenn Saiger. Prizes were donated by the Media Center, Dr. Penny Bower of Hooked on Books, and Cover to Cover bookstore.
Next year hopefully we'll be more prepared instead of learning about this great program at the last minute. Also, more classes will be interested in participating. It was great to hear students talk about poetry and share their poems. The ones who were not able to watch all wanted to hear who won, and the others wanted to participate. Some are already planning their poems for next year! Poetry Out Loud definitely succeeds in getting teenagers interested in poetry!
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