Montrose Area freshman Marisa Vanness, third from the right, competed at the Pennsylvania Poetry Out Loud competition held recently in Harrisburg.
BY STACI WILSON
“Stand in a field long enough, and the sounds start up again,” says Dana Gioia in the opening line of the poem, “Becoming a Redwood.”
Stand on stage reciting poetry long enough, and the confidence of a high school freshman grows.
Montrose Area High Schools’ Marisa Vanness has learned that over the past few months as she competed her way to the “Poetry Out Loud” state finals.
Vanness, age 15, said that while she does enjoy poetry the competition “helps with confidence.”
The Little Meadows teen said it is now easier for her to speak when she is meeting new people.
“I had to meet so many people and had to make an impression. I’ve never had to do that as a high school student before,” Vanness said.
She also said she was less nervous at each level of competition.
Of the three poems she recited at the state competition, Vanness said Gioia’s “Becoming a Redwood” was her favorite.
“It’s a poem of wonderment,” she said. “I love to look at nature and seeing all the things there.”
The poem speaks to that very thing.
She also recited Bob Hicok’s “Calling Him Back from Layoff” and Thomas Hood’s “Silence”
Vanness was made aware of the competition by her Honors English teacher M.J. Kelly, who offered a grade of 100 to anyone who entered the contest.
The teen said she would have entered without the grade incentive.
In the annual, national contest, students memorize and recite poems. In the process, according to the Poetry Out Loud website, the students also gain confidence, public speaking skills and an appreciation of poetry’s history. It is sponsored by the Council on the Arts.
Although she did not place in the top two at the state level, Vanness said the contest is something she would like to do again.
“It was really cool,” she said.
Vanness competed with 12 other regional winners from throughoutPennsylvaniaat the state level contest, held March 26 at the Governor’s Mansion inHarrisburg.
Vanness was the only freshman competing at the regional level, and one of only two vying for the state title.
MAHS Principal James Tallarico said he was proud of the poise, presence and confidence Vanness displayed in the competition.
“I was happy to be at the Capitol on Monday and watch her compete in Poetry Out Loud. I couldn’t be more proud of her,” Tallarico said.
He said the event really focused on the student competitors. “It was a great experience.”
For the past three years, a Montrose Area student has placed first at the regional competition.
“Now she has pressure,” joked the principal. “We expect her to go back for the next three years.”
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