LANSING— Matthew Webb of Cass Technical High School in Detroit, was named the 2014 Michigan Poetry Out Loud State Champion after a day-long recitation competition at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center on March 14.
Webb took top honors among 35 student competitors, reciting “The Empty Dance Shoes” by Cornelius Eady in his final round. First runner-up was Cal Kreiner of Wellspring Preparatory High School (Grand Rapids), second runner-up was James McConnell of Petoskey High School, and third runner-up was Ejiro Enajero of Detroit School of Arts.
“A big congratulations to all 35 students who participated in the state competition,” said Judith Dworkin, Michigan Humanities Council program officer. “We heard amazing recitations and each student showed how hard they had worked to get to this point. It was an exciting day and we look forward to watching Matthew represent Michigan at the national competition this April.”
As the state champion, Webb received a $200 cash award, $500 stipend for his school and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to represent Michigan at the National Poetry Out Loud competition April 29-30. The national competition will be live-streamed at www.poetryoutloud.org. Kreiner, as runner-up, received a $100 cash award and $200 for his school.
Poetry Out Loud, a national high school recitation competition, encourages youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance, while also mastering public speaking skills, building self-confidence and learning about literary heritage. The program has engaged more than 70,000 students since the Michigan Humanities Council and Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs began hosting it in 2005.
The program is open to all high schools, including home-school groups. Registration for the next program will open this fall. If teachers or parents would like to learn more about this program, please visit www.michiganhumanities.org or contact Judith Dworkin at 517.372.77720 or jdworkin@mihumanities.org.
Click To Submit Press Releases, News, Calendar Items, and Community Events to mediaBrew radio stations WFXD, WKQS, WRUP, GTO, Fox Sport Marquette, and 106.1 The Sound
Marquette, Michigan Calendar; Ishpeming Calendar; Negaunee Calendar; Gwinn Calendar; Negaunee Calendar and Events; Upper Peninsula Calendar of Events; Escanaba Events and Calendar