Greer LeRoy heads to regional Poetry Out Loud contest for second year in a row

For the second year in a row, Greer LeRoy’s recitation of poetry earned her first place in the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School’s Poetry Out Loud competition.

Greer, a junior majoring in literary arts and theater, will again represent Lincoln Park in the regional competition Feb. 4 at the Pittsburgh Filmmakers Melwood Theater.

Ian McKinzie, literary arts junior, earned second place and Malkyah Bailey, senior theater major, earned third place. Other competitors were Sarah Bett, Haley Price, Jake Shafran, Molly Trodden and Karis Williams.

Lincoln Park students in ninth through 12th grade competed Friday, Dec. 9 in the Black Box Theater. Each competitor had to memorize and recite two poems in front of an audience.

Greer recited “Holy Sonnets: Death, Be Not Proud” by John Donne and “What Lips My Lips Have Kissed, and Where, and Why,” by Edna St. Vincent Millay.

Greer said she was more nervous going into this year’s competition “because I felt like I had to prove myself.”

“But I’m excited,” she added. “It was really fun last year.”

A panel of five judges composed of Lincoln Park faculty — Mia Frank, Dan LeRoy, Gwyneth Serra, Tom Schaller and Brittanie Maddock — scored students on accuracy, physical presence, dramatic appropriateness, voice and articulation, evidence of understanding, and overall performance.

Melissa Potts, English teacher and department chairwoman, who introduced the contest to Lincoln Park last year, served as master of ceremonies and program coordinator.

Poetry Out Loud is a National Recitation Competition created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation.

“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,” according to the Poetry Out Loud website.

In the first year that Lincoln Park participated in the Poetry Out Loud competition, Greer won the local, regional and state competition. She advanced to the second round in the national POL championship in Washington, D.C. in May.