Sophomore wins first place in Lincoln Park’s 2018-19 Poetry Out Loud Competition

Sophomore Ceresa Morsaint earned the top spot in Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School’s fourth annual Poetry Out Loud competition.

Morsaint of Munhall, a writing and publishing major, will now represent Lincoln Park at the Regional Competition on Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Regent Square Theater in Pittsburgh.

Six students in grades 9-12 competed Friday, Dec. 21, in the Black Box Theater. Chloe Jane, senior theater major, earned second place and Shaiane Matotek, freshman pre-law major, earned third place. Other participants were Alexa Bocek, Melia Kenkner and Adrianna Miksch.

Students took part in two rounds, reciting one poem from memory during each round.

Ceresa recited “The World is Too Much With Us,” by William Wordsworth and “Winter” by Marie Ponsot.

Judging criteria was based on accuracy, physical presence, dramatic appropriateness, voice and articulation, evidence of understanding, and overall performance. The panel of judges were Desirea Hairston, Mia Frank, Gwyneth Serra, and Tom Schaller. Dan LeRoy solely served as accuracy judge.

Melissa Potts, the Poetry Out Loud advisor, served as the master of ceremonies at the event. Potts, English teacher and department chairperson, introduced the contest to Lincoln Park in 2015.

Poetry Out Loud is a National Recitation Competition created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. The competition encourages students to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation and helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life,” according to the Poetry Out Loud website.