Remember reading about the 2013 Poetry Out Loud Contest, sponsored by the Department of English and School of Humanities and Social Sciences, here? Dr. Julia Eichelberger, event coordinator, reflects on the event:

“At this year’s contest, poems came alive when the students recited them, making us think, making us laugh, and touching our hearts. I can’t think of a better way to experience the power of poetry. I was very happy that C of C students, faculty, and staff were all involved in making this a great experience for the audience as well as for the contestants, their teachers and their families.”

The poems recited ranged from works written by poets like Emily Dickinson, William Shakespeare, William Mathews, and Matthew Arnold. In addition, College of Charleston English major Chris Cimorelli and South Carolina Poet Laureate Marjory Wentworth read some of their own poems.

After the poems were recited and the scores were tallied, the three finalists were announced: Katherine Murchison (Charleston County School of the Arts), Sarah Moody (Ashley Hall School), and Whitaker Gannon (Hilton Head Preparatory School).  These finalists will compete in the SC statewide competition in Columbia on March 16, 2013.  Then, one winner will compete in the national finals in Washington, DC (April 29-30, 2013) where $50,000 in awards and school stipends will be distributed.

For more information about Poetry Out Loud, check out the organization’s webpage at http://www.poetryoutloud.org/.