Participants ‘wow’ audience at Linganore’s 5th annual Poetry Out Loud contest
Poetry Out Loud contestants pose for a group photo following the competition.
December 2, 2015
On Thursday, November 19, 2015, Linganore High School held their 5th annual Poetry Out Loud contest in the school auditorium. Junior Kate Cameron won first place. Junior Summer Etzler was second, and sophomore Shannon McGoey won third.
Twenty-four students, chosen either by peers and teachers in their English classes or through personal audition, recited poems of their choice to an audience of students, teachers, parents, and, last but not least, the panel of judges.
The brave competitors, representing all four grades, recited and performed a variety of poetry written by an array of authors. The Poetry Out Loud program rules dictate that all of the poetry must be selected from the hundreds available on its website.
Sophomore Sarah Hall represented her English class in the competition by reciting the poem “Sweetness” by Stephen Dunn.
“I was a little nervous that I would forget my poem, but I was excited to be on stage in front of people,” said Hall. “I love theater and dance, so I enjoy the performance part of Poetry Out Loud.”
The panel of judges were volunteer staff members, including Cheryl Novotny, Marsha Thompson, Tracey Cassidy, Seth Roberts, and Joanne Freimuth.
Each competitor was judged based on physical appearance and presentation, articulation, understanding of the poem, overall performance, and memorization.
First place was awarded to junior Kate Cameron for her recitation of “Song of the Shattering Vessels” by Peter Cole. She earned $50, courtesy of the National English Honor Society, and the opportunity to represent Linganore in the regional Poetry Out Loud competition in February at the Delaplaine Arts Center.
“When I found out I had won I was very surprised, but it was a very cool feeling,” said Cameron. “Everyone in my class started to congratulate me once we had realized they’d announced my name.”
Cameron prepared for the Poetry Out Loud competition by first analyzing four different poems as an assignment for her English class.
“I chose to recite ‘Song of the Shattering Vessels’ because I enjoyed the rhythm and repetition of the poem and felt like I could connect with it,” she explained. “I practiced reciting it over and over to myself, and I recited it in front of the mirror so I could figure out which words I wanted to stress and emphasize.”
The two runners-up also earned prizes courtesy of the National English Honor Society.
Second place went to junior Summer Etzler, who earned $25 for her recitation of the poem “Dear Reader” by Rita Mae Reese, and the honor of 3rd place and $10 was given to sophomore Shannon McGoey for her recitation of “The River of Bees” by W.S. Merwin.
Though only three of the contestants walked away with prizes, all participants benefited from the experience.
English teacher Laura Scuffins has organized and run Linganore’s Poetry Out Loud contest for the last two years.
“Poetry Out Loud is an important event for students to participate in because it fulfills their speaking/listening requirement in the English curriculum and teaches them about literature, but also because it builds their self-confidence and encourages them to try something new,” said Scuffins.
“I love seeing the students that surprise everyone with their performance and really come out of their shells.”
No one would have been able to guess by her confident recitation, but Cameron was one of the many students who stepped outside her comfort zone by participating in Poetry Out Loud.
“I was excited to be involved, but I was very nervous about getting stage fright,” said Cameron. “Competing in Poetry Out Loud really taught me how to speak in front of people.”
Cameron’s advice to future Poetry Out Loud competitors?
“Memorizing a poem is easy, but the hardest part is putting yourself out there. You just have to think to yourself ‘I can do this’ and you will.”
Watch winners Kate Cameron, Summer Etzler, Shannon McGoey recite their poems for Lancer Media staff members.
Congratulations to the participants of Linganore’s 5th annual Poetry Out Loud contest:
Jadyn Eakins
Michael Johnston
Tristan Drennan
Catherine Contreras
Michael Kelly
