Caylee Winpigler Wins Poetry Out Loud Competition, Advances to Regionals

WHS Lions Pride Original Story:

by Eikaiva Boyer for Walkersville High School Lion’s Pride

On November 21st, 2016, Walkersville High Students performed poems for the English program Poetry Out Loud (POL) from pure memorization with no props, costumes or hand motions allowed. Poetry Out Loud “Encourages students to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life.” [1] Poetry Out Loud started in 2005, and is making progress as the years go on. It has grown to reach more than three million students and 50,000 teachers, from 10,000 in every state. [1]

Even though the students that compete may have to participate because their English class is requiring it, some contestants do it for fun. You can also win awards for your hard work, having a first, second, and third place winner in every school.  After that, the first place winner goes to compete in the Regional POL State Competition. “Each winner at the state level receives $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip with an adult chaperone to Washington, DC, to compete for the national championship. The state winner’s school receives a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. The first runner-up in each state receives $100, with $200 for his or her school. A total of $50,000 in awards and school stipends is awarded annually at the National Finals.” [1]

The winners of the school are picked by an array of different people. Sue Ann Nogle is the supervisor of the English department in the county, Laura Oswald, a literary specialist for 26 years at Walkersville High School, Diana Sung, an English teacher and a PRIDE Committee Chair at Walkersville, Elizabeth Bowen, a public librarian and an author of a sci-fi/fantasy book, and Sue Duka, a children’s author. The most important person is English teacher Jessica Bowers. This was Walkersville High School’s fourth annual POL competition and every year Bowers always  runs it very smoothly. The performance of each student is graded by using a pyramid structure that starts at the classroom level.

Each student prepares two poems to recite to a full audience and judges. Although these students are not just reciting any poem, the poems must be selected from the Poetry Out Loud print or online anthology; this is updated every summer. Check poetryoutloud.org after September 1, 2016, to view the official POL anthology for the current school year. [2]

First Place Winner senior Caylee Winpigler has done poetry out loud for four years now. “Ms. Bowers got me into poetry. Before her I  didn’t have much experience with poetry. I found it was one way to express myself other than just acting. With  acting, there’s a whole show that comes together — this is more personal.”

“I love to see the students taking a risk. It is so hard to get up in front of your peers and perform. With the restrictions they have, it really is amazing. It’s always so hard to make a decision because the students are so well prepared. I’m never surprised when the score is always very close,” said Nogle.

First time competitor junior Zane Minnick was definitely excited to start the POL competition off. “I’m comfortable with poems. I picked my two poems because they clicked with me. If it doesn’t click with me, I’ll never read it again.”

“I chose poems with deep meanings,” said junior Kevin Donegan. Donegan feels that he’ll struggle with people trying to make him laugh in the audience, but he stated “It’ll be fun.”

Third Place Winner sophomore Erin Kopit chose a poem that meant a lot to her, “Ways of Talking” by Ha Jin, the poem with different ways of coping with grief. “There are so many different ways to deal with grief. I deal with it in a similar way.” One thing Kopit was nervous about was forgetting her lines and talking really fast.

Sophomore Theo Lynch chose to do the same poem he did last year, “Personal” by Tony Hoagland. “I felt like I really connected with it.” Lynch wanted to be more weary on his hand motions and talk slower.

“The competition is very strong; everyone was amazing,” said Winpigler.

After Round One and Round Two when all the competitors were finished, the judges decided:

First Place: Senior Caylee Winpigler

Second Place: Freshman Imani Campbell

Third Place: Sophomore Erin Kopit

As the judges were tallying up the numbers Bowers recited a favorite poem of hers to the audience.

Freshman Ashanti Gibbs liked the experience because she got to cheer other people on. Campbell was nervous at the beginning but “After it went on it was pretty easy (referring to after Round One). There were places where I could of done better.” Gibbs definitely wants to participate next year.

“When I got up there I tried my best, that’s all that really matters to me. It was nice to be around such brilliant minds. It takes guts,” states Minnick.

“I liked it. I liked being able to see others being able to get up on stage,” said freshman Maria Castillo.

Winpigler offered advice to the other competitors for next year. “Keep doing it regardless of whether you place or not. It is an amazing opportunity you should take advantage of.” Winpigler also said what tricks helped her memorize the poems, “Record yourself and present [your poem] to other people. I was first hesitant about doing one of my poems since it was a page long but since it’s my senior year I went for it.”

“I am really proud of myself; all the hard work paid off,” stated Kopit.

“I feel like I could’ve definitely done better. I’m [going to] do it next year,” stated Campbell.

“I’m surprised, [the] competition was impeccable. It feels good to get recognition and I’m happy with my performance and everyone else’s,” said Winpigler. Since Winpigler won first place last year, but did not place at Regionals she feels that she will do better this year because she feels she is more mature. “I know how to handle myself now, plus being too nervous was my downfall. This year I am more prepared knowing what the competition is going to be like.”

Walkersville High School wishes Winpigler lots of luck as she moves on to Regionals. Great job to all the other competitors!

[1] http://www.poetryoutloud.org/about

[2] http://www.poetryoutloud.org/competition/rules-and-eligiblity