Pomperaug's Poetry Winner Advances to Regional Competition

Post from Region 15 Schools:

Three winners were announced for the Pomperaug High School’s Poetry Out Loud Competition: 1st place- Kathleen S., 2nd place- Natalie D., 3rd place- Shefkije D.

Kathleen’s three poems were “On Virtue” by Phillis Wheatley, “Weighing In” by Rhina Espaillat, and “Zacuanpapalotis” by Brenda Cardenas.

The poetry recitation contest was held after school on January 7, 2015 at Pomperaug High School and was coordinated by PHS Library Media Specialists Kelly Pelletier and Heather Messina.

“These three young ladies did a commendable job and we hope that you will recognize their efforts if you have the good fortune of working with any of them on a regular basis,” said Pelletier in an email to the high school staff.

PHS’s first place winner Kathleen S. will now move on to the regional competition which will be held at Masuk High School on February 25.

To sign up for breaking news alerts and more, click here.

The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation have partnered with U.S. state arts agencies to support Poetry Out Loud, a contest that encourages the nation’s youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.

Poetry Out Loud uses a pyramid structure that starts at the classroom level. Winners advance to a school-wide competition, then to a regional and/or state competition, and ultimately to the National Finals.

Participating students must select the poems from the Poetry Out Loud anthology. At the state and national finals, students must have three poems prepared. One must be 25 lines or fewer, and one must be written before the 20th century.

Pelletier and Messina expressed much appreciation to the teachers and students who served as judges, prompters, and supporters of Poetry Out Loud, including Liz Burgess, Tamara Bender, Christina D., James Randall, and Hannah B.