The Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama is a long, sparse building with creaky hardwood floors and abstract paintings by local artists adorning its walls. Sitting in the middle row of an ocean of squeaky foldable chairs in front of a makeshift stage are three Vestavia students ready to compete in the Region Four Poetry Out Loud National Anthology Competition.
Months before, in mid-October, Vestavia Hills High School hosted its first school level Poetry Out Loud National Anthology Competition. Students memorized and recited a chosen poem, ranging from classic poems by Emily Dickinson to contemporary poems by W. D. Snodgrass. The three students who scored the highest moved to the regional competition this February, where they performed an additional two poems alongside their original selection.
Just a few days ago, those three students, seniors Rishab Samant, Natalie Turnage, and Ava Moore, sat amid competitors from the Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) and Indian Springs. While the school competition had been tough, it was VHHS’s first-ever competition, full of only beginner competitors. In contrast, it was clear that the students from the other two schools were well-prepared and experienced. With VHHS the only public school represented at the competition, it felt a bit like David versus Goliath.
But the Vestavia students held their own. While ASFA students took first and third places, Rishab Samant walked away with second place. His powerful performances of “If They Should Come for Us,” “bug’s psalm,” and “When You Are Old” earned him a one-hundred-and-fifty-dollar gift card to Barnes & Noble as well as a place at state. Additionally, Ava Moore placed fourth, and Natalie Turnage placed fifth. Because the top five get to advance, all three Vestavia competitors will attend the state competition in March.
These students would not have had this opportunity without the hard work of Mrs. Holly Robinson, the AP English Literature teacher, who first brought the competition to the school. Moreover, she met with the students before school to help with memorization and performance as well as attended the regional competition with them. Without Mrs. Robinson’s dedication and diligence, it is unlikely that this group of first-time competitors could have made it so far. And, next year, she is going to expand the school competition to include the Original Poetry Recitation category. So, if you are an underclassman, you definitely need to plan to participate in Poetry Out Loud next year!
The statewide competition will be March third at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. All Rebels should take advantage of the opportunity to support their classmates and enjoy the Shakespearean activities!
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