Waukee Area Arts Council - Poetry Out Loud

Poetry Out Loud 2009

Waukee Area Arts Council, along with Waukee High School teachers Allison Chartier and Jacki Pleggenkuhle, held its first Poetry Out Loud contest in February 2009. Three students competed in the high school division and 2 students competed in the prep division. Poetry Out Loud is a national competition sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. Students memorized classic and new poems and recited them for an audience. Luke Cunningham, a senior at Waukee High School, won the contest, reciting "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "O Captain! My Captain!" Luke then recited at the State Contest on March 7, vying for the $200 first prize and a trip to Washington, DC for the national competition.

The other contestants were 2nd place: Kallie Yearick, and 3rd place: Kyle Cutler. Rachel Carlson, and Maggie Dressel competed in the prep division. All the contestants received a certificate and a cash prize from the arts council. The competition was judged by community members Jeannie Sheldon, Jim Riordan, and Megan Pitts. Our thanks to everyone who helped and participated in Poetry Out Loud!

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Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation contest sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. Contestants begin with local contests, moving on to state, and then one winner from each state goes to the national competition. The web site, www.poetryoutloud.org has more information about the contest, a Poem of the Day, and thousands of poems to read. 8th - 12th graders can start planning to enter next year's contest already!