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Olivia Lewis, the contest winner, and Jack Kochansky, the runner-up, each earned a spot in the regional competition, which is scheduled for Feb. 16 at the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Katie Murphy Amphitheatre, according to a statement from the high school.
Lewis, who recited “The Obligation to Be Happy,” and Kochansky, who recited “Entirely,” competed against more than 20 other students for a chance to advance to the next level of the competition, the school’s statement said.
The teens performed in front of an audience of peers and a panel of judges, that included Mayor Mary Marvin, Superintendent of Schools David Quattrone and English teacher Franco D’Alessandro, according to the school.
“The students were evaluated not only for accuracy, but for conveying the meaning of the poem in a dramatically appropriate way,” said Victor Maxwell, an English teacher and Poetry Out Loud coordinator. “Other criteria included physical presence, voice and articulation, evidence and understanding, and overall performance.”
According to the school, Poetry Out Loud is a national contest that encourages students to learn about poetry through memorization and recitation. It also aims to help each student master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about literacy history.
At the regional competition, Lewis and Kochansky are expected to compete for a spot in the state competition, which is to be held on March 10 in Syracuse.
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