HAMPDEN – In pleasing tones of voice, and with verve and intensity, the Hampden Academy students who took part in the school level of the national Poetry Out Loud competition Jan. 15 made it tough for the judges to select a winner and runner-up.
At the end of the evening, however, Rebecca Hawkins emerged in first place, with Vanessa Nash taking the runner-up slot.
Hawkins recited “Scary Movies” by Kim Addonizio and “The Secret Garden” by Rita Dove.
Nash recited “Booker T. and W.E.B.” by Dudley Randall and “Two Guitars” by Victor Hernandez Cruz. Both girls delivered the poetry with poise and confidence and displayed a fine sense of interpretation of the poems they recited.
Each of the 13 Hampden Academy students taking part in the competition recited from memory two poems they selected and learned, including works by Shakespeare, Maya Angelou, Jane Kenyon and Robert Frost.
The competition consisted of two rounds, with one poem recited each round. Scoring was based on physical presence, voice and articulation, appropriateness of dramatization, level of difficulty, evidence of understanding, overall performance and accuracy.
Students taking part in the competition were Austin Michaud, Amy Cirrone, Jenni Lilieholm, Michaela Hoffman, Rebecca Hawkins, Olivia Norris, Jefferson Adams, Molly Jones, Kayla Houp, Hannah Holden, Samantha Kolyer, Saraj Hessletine and Vanessa Nash.
Academy English teachers Anita Findlen and Rob Kissinger coordinated the competition.
Academy students Andrew Henry and Caleb Kirk served as masters of ceremony, entertaining the audience with humorous stories and patter, including the saga of the little boy who said, “Purple turtle,” which filled the gym with the warmth of laughter.
Poet Mary Phillips, Jeri Misler of Winterport Open Stage, student English teacher Tim Berrigan and writer Ardeana Hamlin served as judges.
Poetry Out Loud is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. The program was launched in 2005 and encourages interest in poetry at the high school level.
The competition begins in the classroom and advances to school, regional, state and national finals levels. More than 150,000 students nationwide participate each year. The national champion walks away with a $20,000 scholarship, with lesser awards for second- through 12th-place winners.