Poetry Out Loud 2007 - Arts in EducationState FinalThe eloquent words of poets Tony Hoagland, Alberto Rios, and Queen Elizabeth I, combined with strong recitation skills, lifted Olivia Seward to first place in the state finals of the national Poetry Out Loud competition.
Fourteen students, representing fourteen Pierce and Thurston Counties high schools competed in the Poetry Out Loud state finals on February 27, 2007 at the Minnaert Center for the Arts, South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia. A ninth grader at Stadium High School in Tacoma, Ms. Seward received $200 from the Poetry Foundation, an all expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. to represent Washington State in the Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Competition, and a $500 stipend for her school to spend on the purchase of poetry books.
Second place went to 12th grader Brennan Card; she received a $100 prize from The Poetry Foundation, and her school, Rainier High School, received a $200 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. Three other finalists received honorable mentions: Adrianne D'Angelo, a 12th grader from River Ridge High School in Lacey, Matthew Lund, a 12th grader from Puyallup High School, and Brittnee Thompson, a 12th grader from Wilson High School in Tacoma.
"Two of my students fell in love for the first time with words," one participating teacher said, "They gained an understanding of the power of words. It was very cool to watch."
Participating SchoolsThurston CountyAvanti High School Black Hills High School North Thurston High School Olympia High School
Pierce CountyBethel Senior High Bonney Lake High School Clover Park High School Foss High School Lincoln High School Puyallup High School Spanaway Lake High School Stadium High School | |