Dec. 13, 2021 -- The 2021 Poetry Out Loud Poetic Recitation Contest was held in the Media Center of Cleveland Heights High School on Thursday, December 9. Five high school students took turns reciting dramatic readings of two poems of their choice. They were judged on performance and delivery by English teachers Trey Adams and Katie Strine, librarian Kathy Lawrence, and John Carroll University student teacher Cameryn Swaney.
Freshman Samira Sisson won first place reading poems “I Remember, I Remember” by Thomas Hood and “Piano” by D.H. Lawrence. Samira will go on to compete at the Poetry Out Loud regional competition at the Cleveland Public Library in February 2022.
Second and third place went to Annica Anselmo and Reena Price who both received Certificates of Participation and school prizes for competing.
The following students competed and read the following poems:
Jose Arevalo - “Mi Casa” by Luis Daniel Selgado and “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost
Reena Price - “Summer” by Chen Chen and “Alternate Names For Black Boys” by Danez Smith
Samira Sisson - “I Remember, I Remember” by Thomas Hood and “Piano” by D.H. Lawrence
Kaylinn McGhee - “Genetics” by Jacqueline Woodson and “BLK History Month” by Nikki GiovanniAnnica Anselmo - “Aria” by David Barber and “Everyone Believes They Are the Good Guy” by Cynthia Arrieu-King
Poetry Out Loud Recitation Contest is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a recitation competition for high school students across the country. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life. It is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Ohio Arts Council. English teacher Kathleen Scully is the organizing teacher. The state coordinator is Chiquita Mullins Lee.