Poetry Out Loud Competition for Montgomery County High School Students
The Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County hosted the local contest featuring students from three county high schools on Thursday, January 14 at 4 pm at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda (www.writer.org). Participating students have competed and won at their local schools. This event is open to the public. Complimentary refreshments will be served. We are grateful to Whole Foods Bethesda for contributing the refreshments for this event.
From right to left: Nora Sandler, Rachel Meloan, Suzan Jenkins (CEO of AHCMC) Robbie Nunez, Brian Blumenreich
County winners Nora Sandler and Rachel Meloan, both of Richard Montgomery High School, will advance to the regional competition on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 7:00 pm. The regional competition will take place at the Cultural Arts Center of Frederick County at 15 W. Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701.
Congratulations to Nora Sandler, Poetry Out Loud champion for the state of Maryland AND 3rd place winner at the national Poetry Out Loud finals!
About Poetry Out Loud
Created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, Poetry Out Loud is administered in partnership with the State Arts Agencies of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Maryland State Arts Council is the local administrator.
By encouraging high school students to memorize and perform great poems, Poetry Out Loud invites the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word, and theater into the English class. This exciting new program, which began in 2005, helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.
Montgomery County school winners
Gaithersburg High School
Yolanda Montano, 12th grade
Rainar Manteuffel, 12th grade
Katherine Thomas School
Robbie Nunez
Brian Blumenreich
Richard Montgomery High School
Rachel Meloan, 11th grade
Nora Sandler, 12th grade
Judging & Advancement
Three judges scored the competition based on criteria established by the NEA and used throughout the country. These criteria are physical presence, voice and articulation, appropriateness of the dramatization, level of difficulty, evidence of understanding, and overall performance.
The judges are:
James Fliakas
Acting Supervisor, Secondary English, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Montgomery County Public Schools
Adele Steiner
Poet, Creative writing instructor, and Poet-in-the Schools for Maryland State Arts Council
Keith Tittermary
Teacher, Director, Actor, Musician, Accompanist and Vocal coach
Two winners at the local level proceeded to the regional level. Regional winners will proceed to the State competition and one State winner will go on to the National Competition.