Lincoln Park sophomore wins local Poetry Out Loud contest

A sophomore pre-law major was declared the winner of the fifth annual Poetry Out Loud competition at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School.

Shaiane Matotek will now advance to the Regional Competition on Saturday, Feb. 8 at Harris Theater in Pittsburgh to represent Lincoln Park.

Matotek was one of five students who competed in the BlackBox Theater on Dec. 20. Other participants were Olivia Dempsey, second place, Sophia Traczek, third place, John Scott, and Brooklyn Schreiber.

Going only from memory, the students went for two rounds and recited two poems.
Matotek recited “Y2K,” by Therese Lloyd and “In the Desert” by Stephen Crane.
Judges Mia Frank, Desirea Hairston, Shauna Smith, and Tom Schaller scored on accuracy, physical presence, dramatic appropriateness, voice and articulation, evidence of understanding, and overall performance. Dan LeRoy, writing and publishing department chairman, acted solely as the accuracy judge.
Melissa Potts, Lincoln Park’s Poetry Out Loud advisor, urged students in grades 9-12 to consider joining the competition next year. Prizes are wonderful, she said, but the competition also helps to build communication skills, forge new friendships, and puts you out there by doing something different.

“You do not have to be an acting or theater major, musical theater or a lit major,” said Potts, who served as the master of ceremonies. “That’s what’s nice about this competition. Anyone from any major can come and participate with us.”
This is Lincoln Park’s fifth year participating. In years past, students have won at regionals three times and once in state competition.

Matotek, a pre-law major, who also participates in mock trials, said she was interested in joining Poetry Out Loud because it focuses on conveying emotions using only the power of voice inflection.
“Poetry Out Loud also gives me a chance to connect to the author’s message on a deeper level of comprehension,” she said.
Poetry Out Loud is part of a national arts education program that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance and competition. Judges evaluate student performances on criteria including voice and articulation, evidence of understanding, dramatic appropriateness, and accuracy.