Tarrant advances to regional poetry recitation competition

Upper school students competed for a chance at a spot in a national competition at Darlington’s seventh annual Poetry Out Loud on Jan. 12. The event was sponsored by the Upper School English department and the McCallie-Kennedy Library.

From a total of 150 students that tried out for the school-level competition, only 13 classroom winners were chosen to move on to the final level at the Upper School library.

Each participant recited two poems in front of fellow students and a panel of judges made up of Darlington faculty members. Through the program, students learn more about the literary works as they spend time understanding the piece, inside of just reading it aloud.

Junior Adam Tarrant won first place in the competition with his delivery of “Piano” by D.H. Lawrence, and “In the Desert” by Stephen Crane. 

"When I walked in, I had no intention of winning the school's competition. I thought everyone did a fantastic job," said Tarrant. "I haven't ever really recited poetry before, so I look forward to learning tips from more experienced people at the upcoming workshop."

After Tarrant completes a Poetry Out Loud seminar, he will advance to the North Georgia regional competition on Feb. 7 at Woodstock High School. The top four winners from the regional round will compete at the state-level competition in March. All state-level winners will convene the following month for Poetry Out Loud's national competition to vie for the national title and a $20,000 cash prize. 

Darlington sophomore Emily Orr took second place with her reading of "American Smooth" by Rita Dove and "Awakening in New York" by Maya Angelou. Sophomore Madeline Ubile received the third place prize with “Burning the Old Year" by Naomi Shihab Nye and "Envy" by Mary Lamb.

The “People’s Choice” award went to sophomore Herren Burgess, who read the "Destruction of Sennacherib" by George Gordon, Lord Byron and "The Tyger" by William Blake. 

Poetry Out Loud began as an opportunity to educate youth about poetry through memorization and recitation. Through the program high school students gain valuable public speaking skills, self-confidence, and a deeper appreciation of the literary arts. 

Click here for more information about Poetry Out Loud. 

Click here to view photos from the competition.

 

Darlington's Top Classroom Winners: 
Gboyega Adeyeye 
Jonathan Astin
Herren Burgess
Dawson Horah 
Mamie Johnson 
Emily Orr 
Dylan Paracka 
Adam Tarrant
Madeline Ubile
Mary Frances Vest 
Andy Wei
Gabrielle Wood
Jamila Wood