Wednesday was the annual Poetry Out Loud competition for the upper school. In classes, students memorize and perform several poems, and then compete with the top public speakers from various classes. Judges evaluate their diction, tone, rhythm, passion, and memory in their performances. First place this year went to freshman Vivian Claire, and second place went to junior Dakota Turnage. Third place went to last year’s winner and citywide champion Felicity Ryan. Vivian performed “Enemies” by Wendell Berry in the first round and “Famous” by Naomi Shihab-Nye. Dakota performed “The Song of the Smoke” by W.E.B. DuBois int he first round and “truth” by Gwendolyn Brooks in the second round. Felicity performed “Time does not bring relief; you all have lied,” by Edna St. Vincent Millay and “The Calm” by Sean O’Brien. The winner will continue on to the citywide competition in March.
