Bearcats participate in the annual memorization and recitation of poetry
Nineteen students took the stage to each embody a poem and compete for the chance to recite again at the county competition. All throughout the school, and the nation, English teachers time and time again assign the inevitable project of Poetry Out Loud.
Wednesday, Jan. 29 PRHS’ tenth annual competition went down, this year differing from previous years because the judges named two runner-ups instead of one. Coming in first place was Leslie Ramirez who recited, Advice from La Llorona by Deborah A. Miranda. Second place went to Tatiana Smeltzer who recited The Ocean by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and third place went to Kelen Macharia who recited Black Boys Play the Classics by Toi Derricotte.
Before announcing the winners, mediator Geoff Land said, “I have a hope… for you reciters out there, I hope you keep this poem alive and keep it fresh on your lips…”
The highest score possible is 131 points and all three winners scored in the 120s. The judges were an assortment of faculty at the PRHS campus.
“I think that Poetry Out Loud gives students a chance to learn more about poems and compete in a contest that doesn’t only involve sports,” Ramirez said.
