Sophia Academy High School Student Competes in National Poetry Contest

On Thursday, Jan. 24, the high school students of Sophia Academy competed on campus in the Poetry Out Loud national recitation contest. 

In a classroom converted to a coffee house-style setting, students individually presented a classic piece of poetry to an audience of classmates and parents.  The poetry was recited with intonation and a dramatic flair. The winner of the contest, ninth grader Max Pimentel, will go on to compete at the regional level at the Atlanta History Center on Feb. 16 with the poems “Break, Break, Break” by Lord Alfred Tennyson and “The Birth of John Henry” by Melvin B. Tolson. 

Amazingly, Max was able to accomplish memorizing these poems in just two days. Created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, Poetry Out Loud is a contest that encourages the nation's youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.