Poetry Out Loud 2008 - Arts in EducationNational FinalsWashington's BreAnna Jones of West Valley High School in Yakima placed among the top 12 finalists out of the 52 state champions from around the country who participated in the third national Poetry Out Loud competition held April 28 - 29, 2008 in Washington, DC.
BreAnna received a $1,000 scholarship and $500 for her school. Shawntay A. Henry of the United States Virgin Islands captured the audience with her poetry recitations and received the title of 2008 Poetry Out Loud National Champion.
From poetry assignment to national finalist, Mia Walsh, Yakima Herald Republic, July 7, 2008.
State FinalBreAnna Jones won the 2008 Washington state Poetry Out Loud final with her recitations of "Forgetfulness" by Billy Collins, "The Old Swimmin' Hole" by James Whitcomb Riley, and "Vita Nova" by Louise Glück.
Ten students advanced from regional finals held in Pierce, Thurston, Yakima and Spokane counties to participate in the state final, on the University of Puget Sound campus. Through three rounds of poetry recitations students were judged by a panel on accuracy, physical presence, level of difficulty, and other criteria.
In addition to her interest in poetry, sophomore BreAnna is class president, enrolled in honors courses, active on her school’s drill team, and passionate about dance. As the winner of the state final BreAnna won a $200 prize and her school was awarded $500 for the purchase of poetry books. She also received an all-expenses-paid trip (with a chaperone) to compete in the National Finals in Washington, DC.
BreAnna said her favorite part of being involved in the Poetry Out Loud competition, “was the reaction of my family, friends, and teachers each time I won. It just really shows that no matter what you choose to do, it could be poetry or basketball, if you go at it whole heartedly and don't let what others say affect you, it can be cool, which is amazing all by itself.”
The runner-up, Kayla Marshall, a senior from Tenino High School in Thurston County, won $100 and a $200 stipend for her school. Three students received honorable mentions: Kevin Ma, a freshman from Mead High School in Spokane County; Sara Pittman, a junior from A.C. Davis High School in Yakima County; and Eric Zuehlsdorff, a senior from Puyallup High School in Pierce County.
"Poetry Out Loud made poetry a relevant art form for participating students in Yakima" said regional partner Jessica Moskwa, Executive Director of Allied Arts of Yakima. "We filled up our facility for the regional competition. To see almost 200 people listening to poetry on a Sunday afternoon was a fabulous thing!"
Poetry Out Loud is sponsored by the Washington State Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and the Poetry Foundation.
The state final was produced in partnership with the Associated Students of the University of Puget Sound, and included performances by Washington State Poet Laureate Samuel Green, poetry slam artists Taylor Mali and Laura "Piece" Kelley-Jahn, and music by the Kareem Kandi Band.
"It was a huge pleasure to be there, to listen to the students quite literally embody the poems," said Washington State Poet Laureate Samuel Green, "It was one of the best ways to spend a day I could think of."
Participating SchoolsPierce CountyBethel Junior High School Bonney Lake High School Clover Park High School Franklin Pierce High School Lincoln High School Puyallup High School Spanaway Lake High School Stadium High School
Spokane CountyCentral Valley High School Mead High School Havermale High School Phoenix Alternative School Rogers High School University High School
Thurston CountyAvanti High School
Yakima CountyA.C. Davis High School East Valley High School Eisenhower High School Naches Valley High School Selah High School Wapato High School West Valley High School | ||||||||||
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