Public speaking, the most common fear of humanity. Poetry, the most common fear of students everywhere. These two things come together in the Poetry Out Loud competition.
Entering its sixth annual running, this year witnessed four competitors step up to the mic.
They were each required to perform two poems, per the Poetry Out Loud website. Performances were judged on a number of criteria: memorization, gesticulation, tone and more.
According to the three judges, this year’s poetry reciters were exceptionally skilled.
“Very serious over the years. Some are the best. This year? Not so clear.” returning judge Joe Betz said.
Sophomore Lucia Walker, this year’s winner, will go onto the state competition in Indianapolis on Saturday, Feb. 15 at the Indiana State Library.
