Top high school students compete in regional “Poetry Out Loud” competition at SUNY New Paltz

New Paltz –Students from 12 area high schools were among those competing in the Mid-Hudson Region’s Poetry Out Loud competition at SUNY New Paltz on Thursday, Feb.6.

Before a live audience, 45 top regional high school students recited poetry, and a panel of judges evaluated the entrants’ performances. Scores were based on voice and articulation, accuracy, level of complexity, evidence of understanding, and overall performance.

The Hackley School’s Isabella Ampil took home first place; and Elizabeth Cory, a student at Bronxville High School, second place.

“Poetry recitation is an art form that requires both discipline and passion. I’m delighted to see high school students embracing a practice that looks back to our earliest storytellers and poets,” said Nancy Johnson, associate professor and chair of the English Department at New Paltz. “Congratulations to Isabella and Elizabeth and I wish them all the best as they move on to the state finals in March.”

The State Finals will be held at SUNY System Administration in Albany, N.Y., on Tuesday, March 4.

Poetry Out Loud is a national recitation contest for high schoolers, created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation and administered in partnership with the State Arts Agencies of all 50 states. In New York, Poetry Out Loud is managed by Teachers & Writers Collaborative on behalf of the New York State Council on the Arts.

This competition was co-sponsored by The Hudson Valley Writing Project.