For Immediate Release: March 7, 2009
Contact: Jeff Morgan
Public Relations
515.281.3858
Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov
Roland-Story High School sophomore crowned state poetry champion
Mia Pierson earns trip to National Finals in Washington, DC
(DES MOINES, Iowa) — Mia Pierson of Roland-Story High School won the 2009 Poetry Out Loud in Iowa contest today at the State Historical Building, edging out 16 other competitors from across the state.
Pierson recited “The Glove and the Lions” by Leigh Hunt, “Hush” by David St. John and “Under the Vulture-Tree” by David Bottoms to earn the victory. Pierson is the daughter of Sheila Pierson, and Mark Pierson and Barbara Guy. Her victory marks the second state championship in a row for Roland-Story. Emily Mortvedt won the state championship last year.
Pierson, a 16-year-old sophomore, receives $200, a $500 check for her school and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC, to compete against state winners from across the country in the Poetry Out Loud National Finals April 27-28, 2009, at George Washington University. The National Finals will award $50,000 in college scholarships and school prizes.
“This is something I took as my responsibility, to show what poetry is supposed to be like,” Pierson said. “For Roland-Story to win the state championship two years in a row is exciting and I hope it’s an inspiration for others in my school to participate next year.”
Poetry Out Loud, a nationwide program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, began in 2005 and helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about their literary heritage. This year, more than 200,000 students from across the nation competed at the classroom and school levels.
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.
“We are proud to facilitate and coordinate the Poetry Out Loud contest in Iowa,” said Cyndi Pederson, director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. “Poetry Out Loud gives students the opportunity to master skills that will last a lifetime.”
NEA and the Poetry Foundation provide state arts agencies free, standards-based curriculum materials for use by participating schools. These materials include print and on-line poetry anthologies, a program guide to help instructors teach recitation and performance, and an audio CD. For more information about Poetry Out Loud, visit www.poetryoutloud.org.
R.J. Monroe of Des Moines North High School earned second place in today’s contest while Elizabeth Glynn of Ankeny High School took third place. Other finalists included Alyson Browder of Norwalk High School and Jennifer Messer of Mason City High School.
Iowa’s other past state champions include Spencer Gilbert of West Des Moines Valley in 2007 and Ashley Baccam of Des Moines East in 2006. Other students who competed in today’s contest include:
(City, Student, School, Teacher)
Ankeny, Kelsey Knake, Northview Middle School, Maureen Hegedus and Stephanie Nugent
Des Moines, Ericka Sprague, Lincoln High School, Linda Schlak
Early, Lisa Schmidt, Schaller-Crestland High School, Jo Vetter
George, Benjamin Tecken, George-Little Rock High School, Brenda Sandbulte
Iowa Falls, Johanna Schoenfelder, Iowa Falls-Alden High School, Cynthia Brown
Johnston, Victoria Rasavanh, Johnston Middle School, Sara St. John
Marshalltown, Zoe Harris, Marshalltown High School, Susan Fritzell
Oskaloosa, Chris North, Oskaloosa Community Senior High School, Beth Lund
Ottumwa, Jill Evans, Ottumwa High School, Miriam Kenning
Pella, Marielle Gaiser, Pella Community High School, Suzanne Sheldon Jones and Laura Fank
Waukee, Luke Cunningham, Waukee High School, Allison Chartier
West Des Moines, Linh Ta, Valley High School, Karen Downing and Carol Engelmann
###
The Iowa Arts Council is a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and works to enrich the quality of life for Iowans through support of the arts. Funding for the Iowa Arts Council and its programs is provided by the state of Iowa and the National Endowment for the Arts.