Poetry Out Loud is anational recitation competetion initiated by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation to foster appreciation of poetry as a spoken art. The annual competition is organized and sponsored at the state level by the Illinois Arts Council in cooperation with seven regional partners, including Carbondale Community Arts. On February 24, 2009, ten students from four Southern Illinois high schools gathered in the auditorium of Carbondale High School for CCA's Regional Contest.
This year's regional contest drew participants from Carbondale, Clay City, Harrisburg and Herrin high schools, where teacher-sponsors used free Poetry Out loud curriculum materials and an extensive on-line anthology to prepare students for classroom and school competitions. The school winners who advanced to regional finals at CCHS were ranked by a panel of judges on criteria that included "voice and articulation" and "evidence of understanding."
1st place winner, Angie Fisher of Herrin, will received a scholarship to the Young Writer's Workshop with Allison Joseph and travel with second place winner, Jourdin Batchelor of Carbondale, to the state competition in Springfield on March 10.
Further detail regarding the Poetry Out Loud program is available online: www.poetryoutloud.org .
For more information regarding Illinois Arts Council programs, please visit www.state.il.us/agency/iac/, call 312/814-6750, toll-free in Illinois 800/237-6994, TTY 888/261-7957 for individuals who have hearing or voice impairments, or email iac.info@illinois.gov. Individuals who are blind, have low vision, or have learning impairments may obtain assistance regarding Illinois Arts Council written materials by contacting the agency’s ADA/504 Access Coordinator.
