High School students from six Wyoming high schools and a junior high will participate in the state finals of the "Poetry Out Loud," recitation contest at 7 p.m., March 10 at the Plains Hotel in Cheyenne.
During the finals competition, each student will recite three poems selected from a poetry anthology designated by the Poetry Out Loud organization. The Wyoming Arts Council’s Mike Shay will serve as master of ceremonies.
Winners of this year’s competition will be announced at an awards ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda at 8 a.m., March 11. Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources Director Milward Simpson will serve as master of ceremonies. The public is invited to both the competition and awards ceremony.
This year’s winner will receive a $200 scholarship and an expense paid trip to Washington D.C. to represent Wyoming in the National Poetry Out Loud competition, April 27-29. The winner’s school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. Wyoming’s runner-up will receive a $100 scholarship, with their school receiving a $200 stipend.
Students from Buffalo, Cody, Cheyenne East, Guernsey-Sunrise, Star Valley and Wheatland high schools will participate, as well as representatives of Cheyenne’s Carey Junior High School.
Judges for the Wyoming finals competition are Jackson resident Bob Berky, an actor, director, playwright and theatrical clown that has performed throughout the world; Laramie County Community College instructor Damien Kortum, who teaches composition, literature and creative writing; and Sue Wallis, of Recluse, a member of the Wyoming House of Representatives and writer.
Held in partnership with the Wyoming Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, the contest is a national program that encourages high school students to learn about poetry through memorization, performance and competition. This is the third consecutive year that Wyoming has held the "Poetry Out Loud" competition.
FMI: Wyoming Arts Council at 307-777-7742, or visit http://www.poetryoutloud.org/.
