Collegiate Hosts Second Annual Poetry Out Loud Contest

12/6/2018

Collegiate School hosted last evening Poetry Out Loud, a national poetry recitation contest that helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about literary history and contemporary life.

Twelve Collegiate students participated in the program, during which a panel of Upper School faculty members served as judges. The event was organized by Upper School English teacher Mil Norman-Risch.

The Poetry Out Loud competition allows winners to move from school to region to state to national competitions. Since 2005, the program has impacted more than 3 million American students and 50,000 teachers.

The Collegiate students who participated were Pender Bauhan, Spencer Billings, Emma Blackwood, Andrew Eastep, Trinity Greene Early, Charlotte Harrison, Marcella Leonard-Jackson, Diamond Lightfoot, J.P. Mintz, Hannah Vincent, Madeleine Watkins and Bella Zeballos.

Senior Madeleine Watkins was named the winner with her recitation of A Noiseless Patient Spider by Walt Whitman. Ninth Grader Diamond Lightfoot was the runner-up, performing Dream Song 14 by John Berryman. Both students will attend the regional competition in February 2019, with the state finals culminating on March 15, 2019, at The Community Idea Stations in Richmond.

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