2007 Poetry Out Loud

State Finals

Competing among thirteen students from schools throughout Delaware, Daniel Foster became the winner of the state Poetry Out Loud contest held at the Schwartz Center for the Arts on March 13. His “Theme for English B” by Langston Hughes, and “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?” by William Shakespeare, propelled him to first place. The second place winner was Turquoise Olezene from Polytech High School, and the third place winner was Andrew Tenga from Mount Sophia Academy.

For his winning presentation, Daniel Foster receives $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington to compete for the national championship. Delmar High School receives a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. The Poetry Foundation will be awarding up to $50,000 in scholarships and school stipends at the National Finals, with at least a $20,000 college scholarship for the Poetry Out Loud National Champion.

Created by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation, in cooperation with the fifty state arts agencies, this program encourages high school students to memorize and perform great poems. The Delaware Division of the Arts coordinates the program at the state level. Poetry Out Loud invites the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word, and theater into the English class. This exciting new program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.