The recent Poetry Out Loud competition, a national recitation contest, featured contestants, in the front row, Samantha Balistreri, Taylor Graupe, Justine Price (third-grade participant), and Victoria and Amata Abatcha; back row: Chandler Lewis, Aria Ryan, Keana Blomquist, Taylor Stubbert, Anastazia Tedford and Katherine Buffum.
Photo courtesy of Susan Laird
Photo courtesy of Susan Laird
Participants memorized, interpreted and recited poems chosen from the Poetry Out Loud website. First-place winner Amata Abatcha, will advance to represent Independence High School at the Contra Costa County competition, held Feb. 5 at Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek.
Poetry Out Loud is a national recitation contest conducted by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. The county winner will represent Contra Costa County in the California State competition, the winner of which will go on to compete at the national level.
Amata Abatcha’s recitation of Emily Dickinson’s poem “I Felt a Funeral in My Brain” earned her a $100 first prize. Capturing second place and $75 was Katherine Buffum. And third-place winner Keana Blomquist received a check for $50. All 10 participants earned participation awards, flowers and gift cards.
Principal Colleen Sanchez praised the entire group’s talents, commitment and initiative in taking on the challenge of poetry recitation.
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