Palmerton student wins regional Poetry Out Loud contest

Maddy Wentz competes in this year’s regional Poetry Out Loud competition.

On January 31, Palmerton Area High School senior Maddy Wentz won the Region 5 Poetry Out Loud competition. Eligible students from across Carbon, Northampton, Lehigh and Monroe counties competed for a chance to represent Region 5 at the Poetry Out Loud state competition in March.

At this year’s Region 5 competition, each student was required to recite three published poems. Students were then judged on the following criteria: physical presence, voice and articulation, interpretation, evidence of understanding, overall performance (without it being a dramatic performance), and overall accuracy. Competitors chose from a collection of published poems compiled by Poetry Out Loud, the national organization. One poem was required to be 25 lines or less. The second poem was required to be from before the 20th century, and then the third poem was allowed to be contemporary.

Mrs. Dawn Burke, English teacher, helped Maddy prepare for the Region 5 competition. Mrs. Burke said, “I am so proud of Maddy. She did an amazing job at the regional competition, and I am looking forward to watching her represent Palmerton at the state competition in March.”