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Addi Garner is the
2017 Poetry Out Loud
State Champion
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ArtsWA announces Addi Garner from Anacortes as the 2017 Poetry Out Loud State Champion
Addi Garner of Anacortes High School will represent Washington State at the National Poetry Out Loud Recitation Competition in Washington D.C. Photo by Jesse Gardner.
OLYMPIA,WA - From a competitive field of more than 20,000 students across the state, Addi Garner, a junior from Anacortes High School in Anacortes, WA, now holds the title of 2017 Poetry Out Loud Washington State Champion. Addi was among 13 high school students--all regional Poetry Out Loud champions--who competed at the State Finals held at the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, Theatre on the Square in Tacoma on March 4, 2017. The first runner-up was Julian Dow, a senior from Naches Valley High School in Naches, WA.
Honorable Mentions go to Lizette Harris from Life Christian Academy in Tacoma, Amir Matheney of Olympia High School, and
Drew Shipman of Mount Vernon High School.
Addi's final recitation was
The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred, Lo
rd Tennyson. The famous poem depicts the Battle of Balaclava in which the British Light Calvary Brigade suffered tremendous casualties against Russian forces.
Tennyson wrote the poem just two weeks later after reading newspaper editorials describing the battle.
See Addi recite The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
Addi said she was surprised to have won the state championship because her fellow competitors were all excellent.
She described the experience as inspiring. "I learned a lot by watching them today," she said. "I plan to use some of their techniques for next year."
Poetry Out Loud uses a pyramid structure. Beginning at the classroom level, top students advance to a school-wide competitions, then to regional competitions, then a state final, and ultimately each state sends one student to the National Poetry Out Loud competition in Washington, D.C. In Washington State, each registered school participates at the regional level with other schools in their area of the state. Regional competitions were coordinated this year by Eastern Washington University, Educational Service District 123, Yakima Valley Community College, ArtsWA, Skagit River Poetry Foundation, and Educational Service District 112. More than 20,000 students from 66 high schools in Washington State took part in this year's program.
At the state finals in Tacoma, Poetry Out Loud contestants recited works they selected from an anthology of more than 900 classic and contemporary poems. The online anthology, a website (
poetryoutloud.org
), a teacher's guide, posters, and media samples of poetry recitation were created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation as free educational resources for high school students and teachers.
Guest judges presided over the competition, evaluating student performances using criteria including physical presence, evidence of understanding, and accuracy. This year's judges were:
Sarah Brauner - Student teacher at Stadium High School, Tacoma
Ginger Ewing - Spokane-based arts activist and organizer; ArtsWA board member
Priti Joshi - English Professor at University of Puget Sound
Tod Marshall - State Poet Laureate, and Humanities Professor at Gonzaga University
Christina Nguyen - Coordinator of Youth Speaks Seattle
Kris Tucker - former Executive Director of the Washington State Arts Commission
Ginger Ewing, who has been a judge for Poetry Out Loud regional competitions for the past four years, said that the program provides many benefits to those that participate. "For the students, the program develops confidence, boosts creative thinking skills, and builds camaraderie," she said.
The Washington State Champion Addi Garner will receive an award of $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete at the national championship. Anacortes High School will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry materials. First runner-up, Julian Dow, will receive $100, with $200 for his school library.
National Finals webcast and viewing parties
Supporters can cheer on Addi through a live, one-time only webcast of the National Finals on April 25-26, 2017 at www.arts.gov. Fans can also host a Poetry Out Loud Webcast Viewing Party to learn more about the art of poetry recitation. Register at
arts.gov/partnerships/poetry-out-loud
this spring
and find tips on hosting your party, promotional materials, and details on other viewing parties around the country.
Student competitors in the Washington State Finals
The thirteen students who competed at the 2017 Poetry Out Loud State Finals were all regional champions. Photo by ArtsWA.
Rhys Chapman, Bickleton High School, Klickitat County
Isabella Daltoso, Vancouver School of Arts & Academics, Clark County
Elise M. Divens, Mt. Spokane High School, Spokane County
Julian Dow, Naches Valley High School, Yakima County **
Addi Garner, Anacortes High School, Skagit County *
Lizette Harris, Life Christian Academy, Pierce County +
Kelton Hedstrom, Mead High School, Spokane County
Charles Jones, Crosspoint Academy, Kitsap County
Amir Matheney, Olympia High School, Thurston County +
Laney Pham, Battle Ground High School, Clark County
Leah Sainz-Jones, Woodinville High School, King County
Drew Shipman, Mount Vernon High School, Skagit County +
Kiley Tolison, Delta High School, Benton County
*2017 Washington State Poetry Out Loud Champion
**Runner-up
+ Honorable mention
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About Poetry Out Loud
Poetry Out Loud
encourages the study of great poetry by offering educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition to high school students across the country. Poetry Out Loud gives students an opportunity to master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage. To find out how to get involved in the Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest, visit
poetryoutloud.org
.
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About the National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress in 1965, the NEA is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the NEA supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America's rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. For more information, visit arts.gov.
About the Poetry Foundation
The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine, is an independent literary organization committed to a vigorous presence for poetry in our culture. It exists to discover and celebrate the best poetry and to place it before the largest possible audience. The Poetry Foundation seeks to be a leader in shaping a receptive climate for poetry by developing new audiences, creating new avenues for delivery, and encouraging new kinds of poetry through innovative literary prizes and programs. For more information, please visit
poetryfoundation.org.
ArtsWA is the Washington State Arts Commission, a state government agency established in 1961. ArtsWA works to be a catalyst for the arts, advancing the role of the arts in the lives of individuals and communities throughout the state. Programs include Art in Public Places, Arts in Education, Project Support/Community Investment Grants, and other special projects. For more information visit arts.wa.gov.
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The Washington State Arts Commission is committed to values of inclusion, diversity, equity, and creative expression. We believe in diverse forms of artistic expression, and we believe in access to arts and arts education for all individuals in our state. The arts can and should play a role in addressing inequities, modeling inclusion, and teaching empathy.
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