![Picture](/uploads/5/7/2/0/57208177/578677.jpg?140)
~ A Post from Dr. Jamison
The other day during the latest “America’s Got Talent” episode, I marveled at the mettle and perseverance of the contenders, who risk everything for that one chance to shine in the spotlight.
This week, I had the honor of witnessing my Honors 9th grade literature classes memorize and perform a poem in front of the class. If I had a Golden Buzzer, I would have pressed it several times, because folks, my students nailed it! (If you’ve ever had to speak from memory in front of a group of your peers, you know that recitation can add a few gray hairs to even the most stalwart of us.)
Before I announce the winners of each class competition, you may want to review the information below regarding the Poetry Out Loud process – especially the chance to win prizes of up to $20,000.
About Poetry Out Loud
~ quoted from http://www.poetryoutloud.org/about
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. After successful pilot programs in Washington, DC, and Chicago, Poetry Out Loud was launched in high schools nationwide in the spring of 2006 and has grown to involve millions of students across the country.
Contest Structure and Awards: 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. Each winner at the state level receives $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip with an adult chaperon to Washington to compete for the national championship. The state winner's school receives a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. The first runner-up in each state receives $100, with $200 for his or her school library. A total of $50,000 in awards and school stipends is awarded annually at the National Finals.
Awards are made in the form of lump sum cash payouts, reportable to the IRS. Tax liabilities are the sole responsibility of the winners and their families.
And the Winners Are...
2nd Block: Zoe Gilreath - Zoe’s performance astonished the class and sent chills down my spine. She commanded the audience from the start, became the persona, and recited a long poem with 100% accuracy. I believe that Zoe can be a serious contender in the state and national competition. (Zoe has said she will compete in January’s school-wide competition, and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us.)
3rd Block: Katie Thompson-Katie recited “Blackberrying” by Sylia Plath. Even though Katie did not feel well, she destroyed the poem (positive connotation for ‘destroyed’ here)! With poised confidence, Katie delivered a well-thought-out, convincing version of the poem. She will give even the most seasoned performers a run for their money.
4th Block: Frankie Ray - The first in her class to perform, Frankie set the bar high with her poem. The second she began, we knew we were hearing something magical. With a strength and control so rare for the amateur speaker, Frankie fearlessly dove into her poem, and for a few moments, we forgot we were in a classroom. I dare anyone in this state to do as good a job as she did!
Each of these students won a prize, and I hope to see them compete in January. Good Job! I am so proud of all my students for having the courage to get up there and take a risk.
The other day during the latest “America’s Got Talent” episode, I marveled at the mettle and perseverance of the contenders, who risk everything for that one chance to shine in the spotlight.
This week, I had the honor of witnessing my Honors 9th grade literature classes memorize and perform a poem in front of the class. If I had a Golden Buzzer, I would have pressed it several times, because folks, my students nailed it! (If you’ve ever had to speak from memory in front of a group of your peers, you know that recitation can add a few gray hairs to even the most stalwart of us.)
Before I announce the winners of each class competition, you may want to review the information below regarding the Poetry Out Loud process – especially the chance to win prizes of up to $20,000.
About Poetry Out Loud
~ quoted from http://www.poetryoutloud.org/about
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. After successful pilot programs in Washington, DC, and Chicago, Poetry Out Loud was launched in high schools nationwide in the spring of 2006 and has grown to involve millions of students across the country.
Contest Structure and Awards: 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. Each winner at the state level receives $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip with an adult chaperon to Washington to compete for the national championship. The state winner's school receives a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. The first runner-up in each state receives $100, with $200 for his or her school library. A total of $50,000 in awards and school stipends is awarded annually at the National Finals.
Awards are made in the form of lump sum cash payouts, reportable to the IRS. Tax liabilities are the sole responsibility of the winners and their families.
And the Winners Are...
2nd Block: Zoe Gilreath - Zoe’s performance astonished the class and sent chills down my spine. She commanded the audience from the start, became the persona, and recited a long poem with 100% accuracy. I believe that Zoe can be a serious contender in the state and national competition. (Zoe has said she will compete in January’s school-wide competition, and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us.)
3rd Block: Katie Thompson-Katie recited “Blackberrying” by Sylia Plath. Even though Katie did not feel well, she destroyed the poem (positive connotation for ‘destroyed’ here)! With poised confidence, Katie delivered a well-thought-out, convincing version of the poem. She will give even the most seasoned performers a run for their money.
4th Block: Frankie Ray - The first in her class to perform, Frankie set the bar high with her poem. The second she began, we knew we were hearing something magical. With a strength and control so rare for the amateur speaker, Frankie fearlessly dove into her poem, and for a few moments, we forgot we were in a classroom. I dare anyone in this state to do as good a job as she did!
Each of these students won a prize, and I hope to see them compete in January. Good Job! I am so proud of all my students for having the courage to get up there and take a risk.