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ArtsErie’s Regional “Poetry Out Loud” Competition to be held on February 19th at Allegheny College

posted on: Thursday, February 17, 2011

ERIE, PA — ArtsErie and the Pa. Council on the Arts are proud to present the 2011 Regional “Poetry Out Loud” competition on February 19, 2011. This year’s competition will be held from 11 AM-1 PM at the Vukovich Center for Communication Arts at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa. Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program, created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, which encourages the study of poetry by offering educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition to high schools across the country.

This year’s participants include Megan Kibler from Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy, Katelyn Baker from Western Pennsylvania Christian Orators, and Jillian Johannes from Mercyhurst Prep. Each contestant will be responsible for memorizing three poems chosen from the Poetry Out Loud anthology and reciting these poems before the judging panel. Each judge will score the contestant based on certain criteria such as level of difficulty, posture and presence, pronunciation, and evidence of understanding. After each round, their score will be tabulated and at the conclusion of the last round, their final scores will be announced, determining the regional champion. The winner of this year’s competition will go on to compete at the State Finals at the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg, Pa.

This year’s panel of judges includes Conneaut Valley High School English teacher Donna Baker, ArtsErie Poetry Out Loud coordinator Lora Zill, coordinator of The Creating Landscapes Educational Programs for Children, Teens, and Young Adults, Jan Hyatt, and Associate Director of Public and Professional Writing at the University of Pittsburgh, Pam O’ Brien. ArtsErie is also proud to welcome Pennsylvania Senator Mary Jo White as a judge to this year’s panel. Senator White has served the 21st Senatorial District since 1996.

The 2010-11 academic year mark’s ArtsErie’s sixth year as regional host for area high schools. Eligible schools allowed to participate as part of ArtsErie’s region include Erie, Crawford, Warren, Mercer, Lawrence, Venango, Forest, McKean, Potter, Elk, and Cameron.

To receive information about participating in next year’s competition, contact Holly Nowak, ArtsErie’s Arts in Education Director, at (814) 452-3427. Additional information about Poetry Out Loud is available online at www.poetryoutloud.org.