Michigan Humanities Council :: Poetry Out Loud

(WASHINGTON, DC -- April 29, 2008)--Michigan's 2008 Poetry Out Loud winner, Charles White (Forest Hills Central High School, Grand Rapids) successfully advanced as one of 12 finalists in the national Poetry Out Loud competition.

Charles did not win the championship, which concluded on April 29. The winner represented the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Charles advanced to the championship round as one of four finalists from the Midwest Region; there are three geographic regions, and four from each region advanced to the national finals. A total of 52 students competed: one from every state, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Judges evaluate each student performance on criteria including physical presence, articulation, evidence of understanding, level of difficulty, and accuracy. Students choose three poems to recite from the Poetry Out Loud print and online anthologies (www.poetryoutloud.org).

The championship round will be held at 7:00 p.m. on April 29, 2008, at the George Washington University Lisner Auditorium in Washington, DC.

For more information on the national finals, visit www.poetryoutloud.org or contact either Sally Gifford at the National Endowment for the Arts (202-682-5606, giffords@arts.gov) or Anne Halsey at the Poetry Foundation (312-799-8016, ahalsey@poetryfoundation.org). Poetry Out Loud in Michigan a Michigan Humanities Council partnership program with the National Endowment for the Arts, The Poetry Foundation, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, and the Library of Michigan.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- March 8, 2008
CONTACT: Scott Hirko, Public Relations Officer,
shirko [at] mihumanities.org, 517-372-0029 ext. 25

CHARLES WHITE OF FOREST HILLS CENTRAL H.S. (GRAND RAPIDS) WINS Poetry Out Loud STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Charles White to receive $200 and win a trip to national finals in Washington, D.C.; Brian Weber of Dansville H.S. takes 2nd place

(LANSING)-----Charles White of Forest Hills Central High School in Grand Rapids won the 2008 Poetry Out Loud state championship hosted today in Lansing by the Michigan Humanities Council. White bested 13 other contestants from across Michigan to win the title. He will receive a $200 cash award and an all-expenses paid trip to the national finals in Washington D.C. from April 28-29, 2008. Forest Hills Central High School will also receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. Brian Weber of Dansville High School was named the runner-up in the competition. He will receive $100, along with $200 for the Dansville High School library. The competition was held at the Michigan Library and Historical Center in Lansing.

Each student recited two poems; the top four students competed in a final, championship round. The students competing in the championship round recited a third poem. Each student's performance was judged on six categories: Physical Presence; Voice and Articulation; Appropriateness of Dramatization; Level of Difficulty; Evidence of Understanding; and, Overall Performance. Judges for the competition were: Sheri Jones, WLNS TV-6 news anchor; Chris McElroy, director of production for Michigan Television; and, playwright Sandra Seaton.

The Poetry Out Loud program, a Michigan Humanities Council partnership program with the National Endowment for the Arts, The Poetry Foundation, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, and the Library of Michigan, encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. Since November, Language Arts/English teachers spent at least two or three weeks of class time to prepare students for each school competition. Each school champion advanced to the state competition held earlier today. Poetry Out Loud builds on the resurgence of poetry as an oral art form as seen in the slam poetry movement and the immense popularity of rap music among youth. Through this program, students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.

Charles White will compete at the National Finals, to be held on April 28-29, 2008, in Washington, D.C. Scholarships and school stipends totaling $50,000 will be awarded at the National Finals, with a $20,000 college scholarship for the Poetry Out Loud national champion.

Previous Michigan Poetry Out Loud winners were Sarah Harris of Holt High School in 2007, and Travis Walter from Holt High School in 2006.

The Michigan Humanities Council, founded in 1974, is the state’s independent, non-profit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. For additional information on the Michigan Humanities Council, please visit: www.michiganhumanities.org or call 517-372-7770.

The third annual Poetry Out Loud poetry recitation competition state championship will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2008, in the Forum Room at the Library of Michigan in Lansing. The event is free and open to the public. Judges for the competition are: Sheri Jones, include WLNS TV-6 news anchor; Chris McElroy, director of production for Michigan Television; and, playwright Sandra Seaton.

The Michigan Humanities Council, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, and the State Library of Michigan, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and The Poetry Foundation are conducting the Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest and invite Michigan high schools to participate. Priority will be given to high schools located in the under-served communities. An under-served community is defined as one in which people lack access to arts and humanities programs, services, or resources due to geography, economic conditions, cultural background, or sociopolitical circumstances.

Program Overview
Poetry Out Loud seeks to foster the next generation of literary readers by capitalizing on the latest trends in poetry – recitation and performance. The program builds on the resurgence of poetry as an oral art form, as seen in the slam poetry movement and the immense popularity of rap music among youth. Poetry Out loud invites the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word, and theater into the English class. Through this program, students can master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.

The Michigan Humanities Council and its partners invite Language Arts or English teachers from Michigan high schools to participate in the Poetry Out Loud program. Teachers who are selected to participate in the program will earmark two or three weeks of class time and will run their program between September 24. 2007 to February 25, 2008. During this time frame, the goal is to have a poet offer a workshop and possibly a performance to help provide leadership and guidance as the teacher prepares the students for the school-wide and state competitions.

The teachers will allow class time for students to practice their poems and will help students develop effective recitation practices. At he end of the second or third week, the teacher(s) will select one student to compete for the statewide competition. This selection must be made by February 29, 2008. The winners from each of the schools will advance to the statewide poetry competition on Saturday, March 8, 2008 to be held in Lansing at the State Library of Michigan. Poets from throughout the state will judge the competition and select a winner and a runner-up. The winner of the statewide contest will participate in the national competition April 28 – 29, 2008 in Washington, D.C.

Program Materials
Each participating high school will receive the following curriculum materials: print and online poetry anthology, a program guide to help instructors teach recitation and performance, an audio CD featuring distinguished actors and writers, promotional and media guides, and access to a comprehensive website. In addition, all curriculum materials will be available for downloading on the NEA’s website, www.poetryoutloud.org.

Program Awards
The state winner will receive $200 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete for the national championship April 28 – 29, 2008. The state winner’s school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. The runner-up in the state competition will receive $100, along with $200 for his or her school library. Scholarships and school stipends totaling $50,000 will be awarded at the National Finals, with a $20,000 college scholarship for the Poetry Out Loud National Champion.

Send your letter of interest to the Michigan Humanities Council, 119 Pere Marquette Dr., Suite 3B, Lansing, Michigan 48912-1270.

Sarah to receive $200 and advance to national finals; Michael Rux of Ionia H.S. takes 2nd place

click on images to enlarge

(from left): State Librarian Nancy Robertson, MHC Executive Director Jan Fedewa, 2007 POL Champion Sarah Harris of Holt, and MCACA Director John Bracey

2007 POL winner Sarah Harris

From left: Jacquelyn Del Valle (Sexton H.S. - Lansing), Hope Jacques (Bullock Creek H.S. - Midland), 2007 Poetry Out Loud Champion Sarah Harris (Holt H.S.), Nico Watson (Beacon Day Treatment Program, Inkster), 2007 Poetry Out Loud Runner Up Michael Rux (Ionia H.S.), Kristin Peterson (Houghton H.S.), Natosha Huffman (Alba Public School), Kayleena Heslip (Owosso Christian School), Candace Filonczek (Dansville H.S.)

(MARCH 10, 2007. LANSING)-----Sarah Harris of Holt High School won the 2007 Poetry Out Loud state championship hosted today in Lansing by the Michigan Humanities Council. Harris bested eight other contestants from across Michigan to win the title. Sarah will receive a $200 cash award and an all-expenses paid trip to the national finals in Washington D.C. from April 30 – May 1, 2007. Holt High School will also receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. Michael Rux of Ionia High School was named the runner-up in the competition. He will receive $100, along with $200 for the Ionia High School library. The competition was held at the Michigan Historical Center in Lansing.

Each student recited three poems as part of the competition, and four judges graded each recitation based on five categories: Physical Presence and Posture; Voice Projection and Articulation; Appropriateness of Dramatization; Level of Difficulty; Evidence of Understanding; and, Overall Performance.

Sarah’s three poems she recited were: The Cremation of Sam McGee, by Robert Service; Mrs. Krikorian by Sharon Olds; and, The Weary Blues, by Langston Hughes.

The students competing on Saturday were:
• Natosha Huffman, Alba Public Schools
• Nico Watson, Beacon Day Treatment Program (Inkster)
• Hope Jacques, Bullock Creek High School (Midland)
• Candace Filonczek, Dansville High School
• Sarah Harris, Holt High School
• Kristin Peterson, Houghton High School
• Michael Rux, Ionia High School
• Kayleena Heslip, Owosso Christian School; and,
• Jacquelyn Del Valle, Sexton High School (Lansing).

Sarah will compete at the National Finals, to be held on April 30 - May 1, 2007, in Washington, D.C. Scholarships and school stipends totaling $50,000 will be awarded at the National Finals, with a $20,000 college scholarship for the Poetry Out Loud national champion.

Notably, Sarah is the second Holt High School student to be named Michigan’s Poetry Out Loud champion. Travis Walter from Holt High School was Michigan’s 2006 Poetry Out Loud champion. Margaret Charette, Holt’s language arts teacher, said, “I would like to thank you for your efforts in providing my students and Holt Public Schools with the extraordinary opportunity to participate in Poetry Out Loud. The lessons and competitions connected with Poetry Out Loud have fostered an interest in poetry that I have not witnessed before in my 16 years of teaching.”

Poetry Out Loud builds on the resurgence of poetry as an oral art form as seen in the slam poetry movement and the immense popularity of rap music among youth. Through this program, students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.

Poetry Out Loud STATE CHAMPIONSHIP OPEN TO PUBLIC

Winner to receive $200 and advance to national finals to compete for $20,000 in scholarship awards

(LANSING)----- The Michigan Humanities Council (MHC) will present the 2007 state championship for the Poetry Out Loud recitation contest this Saturday, March 10, from 1 – 4 pm at the Forum Room of the Michigan Historical Center in Lansing. Nine students will each recite three poems in an attempt to become the 2007 Poetry Out Loud state champion. The champion will receive a $200 cash award and an all-expenses paid trip to the national finals in Washington D.C. from April 30 – May 1, 2007. The winner’s school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. The runner-up in the Michigan competition will receive $100, along with $200 for their school library. The students competing on Saturday are:

• Natosha Huffman, Alba Public Schools
• Nico Watson, Beacon Day Treatment Program (Inkster)
• Hope Jacques, Bullock Creek High School (Midland)
• Candace Filonczek, Dansville High School
• Sarah Harris, Holt High School
• Kristin Peterson, Houghton High School
• (to be announced), Ionia High School
• Kayleena Heslip, Owosso Christian School; and,
• Jacquelyn Del Valle, Sexton High School (Lansing).

“These students and teachers have put in extensive time and effort into this program and competition, and we look forward to an engaging and exciting event,” stated Jan Fedewa, executive director of the Michigan Humanities Council. “We are pleased to partner with many cultural organizations to offer a strong educational program for Michigan’s high schools.”

Michigan’s champion will compete at the National Finals, to be held on April 30 - May 1, 2007, in Washington, D.C. Scholarships and school stipends totaling $50,000 will be awarded at the National Finals, with a $20,000 college scholarship for the Poetry Out Loud national champion.

Travis Walter from Holt High School was Michigan’s 2006 Poetry Out Loud champion. Margaret Charette, Holt’s language arts teacher, said, “I would like to thank you for your efforts in providing my students and Holt Public Schools with the extraordinary opportunity to participate in Poetry Out Loud. The lessons and competitions connected with Poetry Out Loud have fostered an interest in poetry that I have not witnessed before in my 16 years of teaching.”

High schools participating in Poetry Out Loud include Alba, Beacon Day (Inkster), Beaverton, Bullock Creek, Canton, Dansville, Holt, Houghton, Ionia, Owosso Christian, Sexton (Lansing)

(LANSING. December 21, 2006)-----The Michigan Humanities Council announces that students from 11 Michigan high schools will participate in Poetry Out Loud program: Alba Public Schools; Beacon Day Treatment Program, Inkster; Beaverton High School; Bullock Creek High School, Midland; Canton High School; Dansville High School; Holt Senior High School; Houghton High School; Ionia High School; Owosso Christian School; and Sexton High School, Lansing.

The Poetry Out Loud program, a Michigan Humanities Council partnership program with the National Endowment for the Arts, The Poetry Foundation, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, and the Library of Michigan, encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. During the next three months, Language Arts/English teachers from the schools selected to participate will earmark two or three weeks of class time to prepare students for the school competition, advancing to a state competition on March 10. Michigan’s champion will compete at the National Finals, to take place on April 30 - May 1, 2007, in Washington, D.C.

Travis Walter from Holt High School was Michigan’s 2006 Poetry Out Loud champion. Margaret Charette, Holt’s language arts teacher, said, “I would like to thank you for your efforts in providing my students and Holt Public Schools with the extraordinary opportunity to participate in Poetry Out Loud. The lessons and competitions connected with Poetry Out Loud have fostered an interest in poetry that I have not witnessed before in my 16 years of teaching.”

Poetry Out Loud builds on the resurgence of poetry as an oral art form as seen in the slam poetry movement and the immense popularity of rap music among youth. Through this program, students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.

“The public recitation of great poetry,” said John Barr, President of the Poetry Foundation, “is a way to honor the speaker, the poem, and the audience all at once. Poetry Out Loud brings new energy to an ancient art by returning it to the classrooms of America.”

The Michigan Humanities Council is pleased and honored to partner with these outstanding organizations to bring Poetry Out Loud to Michigan high school students.

The Michigan Humanities Council, founded in 1974, is the state’s independent, non-profit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

(Lansing, October 12, 2006)--The Michigan Humanities Council, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, and the State Library of Michigan, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and The Poetry Foundation are conducting the Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest and invite Michigan high schools to participate. Priority will be given to high schools located in under-served communities. An under-served community is defined as one in which people lack access to arts and humanities programs, services, or resources due to geography, economic conditions, cultural background, or sociopolitical circumstances.

Program Overview
Poetry Out Loud seeks to foster the next generation of literary readers by capitalizing on the latest trends in poetry – recitation and performance. The program builds on the resurgence of poetry as an oral art form, as seen in the slam poetry movement and the immense popularity of rap music among youth. Poetry Out Loud invites the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word, and theater into the English class. Through this program, students can master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.

Program Description
Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition to high schools across the country. It uses a pyramid structure. Beginning at the classroom level, winners will advance to the school-wide competition, then to the state capitol competition, and ultimately to the national finals in Washington, D.C. More than 100,000 students are expected to take part in Poetry Out Loud this year.
The Michigan Humanities Council and its partners invite Language Arts or English teachers from Michigan high schools to participate in the Poetry Out Loud project. Teachers who are selected to participate in the project will earmark two or three weeks of class time and will run their program between November 15, 2006 to February 25, 2007. During this time frame, the goal is to have a poet offer a workshop and possibly a performance to help provide leadership and guidance as the teacher prepares the students for the school-wide and state competitions.

The teachers will allow class time for students to practice their poems and will help students develop effective recitation practices. At the end of the second or third week, the teacher(s) will select one student to compete for the statewide competition. This selection must be made by March 1, 2007. The winners from each of the 10 schools will advance to the statewide poetry competition on March 10, 2007 to be held in Lansing. Poets from throughout the state will judge the competition and select a winner and a runner-up. The winner of the statewide contest will participate in the national competition April 30 – May 1, 2007 in Washington, D.C.

Program Materials
Each participating high school will receive the following curriculum materials: print and online poetry anthologies, a program guide to help instructors teach recitation and performance, an audio CD featuring distinguished actors and writers, promotional and media guides, and access to a comprehensive website. In addition, all curriculum materials will be available for downloading on the NEA’s website, Poetry Out Loud.

Program Awards
The state winner will receive $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete for the national championship April 30 – May 1, 2007. The state winner’s school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. The runner-up in the state competition will receive $100, along with $200 for his or her school library. Scholarships and school stipends totaling $50,000 will be awarded at the National Finals, with a $20,000 college scholarship for the Poetry Out Loud National Champion.
Participation Deadline: October 31, 2006. Send your letter of interest to the Michigan Humanities Council, 119 Pere Marquette Drive, Lansing, Michigan 48912-1270.