On Monday, April 6, Nashoba Regional High School sophomores gathered in the auditorium for the exciting finals of the school’s first ever Poetry Out Loud competition. The event brought together students, staff and a panel of guest judges to celebrate poetry..
Modeled after the national Poetry Out Loud program, the competition began in sophomore English classrooms, where teachers curated a diverse selection of short poems. Each student selected, memorized, and performed a poem, demonstrating both their understanding of the text and their public speaking skills. Classroom competitions, held in early April, resulted in an impressive group of 21 finalists who advanced to the school-wide event.
These finalists took the stage in front of their peers and a panel of guest judges who were tasked with evaluating each performance using a detailed rubric.
Throughout the event, students showcased not only their memorization skills but also their ability to interpret and bring meaning to their chosen works. Brief musical interludes, coordinated in collaboration with the music department, added to the afternoon.
At the conclusion of the performances, the judges selected an overall winner along with two runners-up, recognizing the outstanding talent and effort displayed by all participants. Congratulations to Dylan Neumann, Violet Hohn, and Charlie Thibeault, the first, second, and third place winners for their exceptional performances and poise on stage.