GERSTELL ACADEMY
LEADERSHIP • HONOR • COURAGE
LEADERSHIP • HONOR • COURAGE
Gerstell Hosts Poetry Out Loud Competition
The Poetry Out Loud (POL) competition held on Monday, December 2nd, served as an excellent showcase for three upper school students to enhance their public speaking skills while connecting deeply to literary heritage. Senior Imari Owens, Junior Rebecca Sprinkle, and Freshman Corey Graham recited two poems that they selected from a vast anthology of over 1,200 works. Held annually in the boardroom of Robert E. Smith Hall, the competition challenges upper school students to engage critically with poetry by memorizing and reciting their chosen poems with conviction, creativity, and skill.
“Poetry Out Loud is a great opportunity for students to interact meaningfully with influential texts. Effectively reciting poetry, truly bringing it to life before an audience, requires critical thinking skills and a deep level of sincerity. Equipped with their advanced public speaking skills, Gerstell students have been able to compete at a high level, consistently making it to the state finals over the past 6 years.”
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The POL competition is more than just about reciting words; it is about bringing the poems to life. At Gerstell Academy, students learn and develop their public speaking skills as a part of the leadership curriculum. According to the POL website, competitors are evaluated on physical presence, voice and articulation, dramatic appropriateness, evidence of understanding, and overall performance.
Students take time to dissect each line, considers the message being conveyed, respect the word choices, is aware of where the emphasis should be, and connects with the audience. Each poem recitation is judged by faculty members from the English department. Two winners will advance to a regional and/or state competition, and one finalist will go to the National Finals.
English department chair, Ms. Cara Meekins shared…
“Poetry Out Loud is a great opportunity for students to interact meaningfully with influential texts. Effectively reciting poetry, truly bringing it to life before an audience, requires critical thinking skills and a deep level of sincerity. Equipped with their advanced public speaking skills, Gerstell students have been able to compete at a high level, consistently making it to the state finals over the past 6 years.”
Gerstell Academy students have a track record of excellence, regularly advancing to the state finals over the past six years. Nationally, since its inception in 2005, Poetry Out Loud has involved over 4.4 million students from more than 20,000 schools across the country, showcasing its broad impact on both students and educators.
Ultimately, Poetry Out Loud not only empowers students to become confident public speakers but also encourages a deeper engagement with literature—an experience that, in turn, fosters intellectual growth and artistic expression.
2500 Old Westminster Pike
Finksburg, MD 21048-1823
410-861-3000
1-866-861-3300
Finksburg, MD 21048-1823
410-861-3000
1-866-861-3300
