(Indianapolis, IN) – A local student is one of the top young poets in the state, according to Indiana Humanities.
North Decatur High School junior Allison Whitaker was one of 14 finalists who participated in the Poetry Out Loud state competition last Saturday in Indianapolis.
Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of poetry by offering free educational materials and a recitation competition for high school students.
Last weekend at the Indiana Historical Society, Whitaker and the other students recited works selected from an anthology of more than 1,200poems.
Judges evaluated student performances on several criteria including voice and articulation, evidence of understanding, and accuracy.
Aalihya Banks from Pike High School in Indianapolis took first place and will move on to the national Poetry Out Loud contest in Washington, D.C., while Kylah Hockemeyer from Columbia City Eagle Tech Academy came in second.
“Watching these talented and driven students compete was an absolute joy to witness,” said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of Indiana Humanities. “Their passion for poetry and dedication to excellence is infectious and we’re grateful to our partners at the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC), Poetry Out Loud and the Poetry Foundation for the opportunity to celebrate them.”
“Each year, Poetry Out Loud serves as a reminder of the powerful role that creativity plays in the classroom,” said IAC executive director Miah Michaelsen. “We are grateful for Indiana’s Humanities’ stewardship of this program and their work to provide a platform for young Hoosiers to share their voices.”
The complete list of finalists for the state competition follows:
- Eliana Ortega, Jasper High School
- Aalihya Banks, Pike High School, Indianapolis
- Kylah Hockemeyer, Eagle Tech Academy, Columbia City
- Winnie Dong, Bloomington High School South
- Eve-Marie Baxter, St. Thomas More Academy, South Bend
- Allison Whitaker, North Decatur Jr./Sr. High School
- Jehanna Fisher, Early College High School
- Ava Madrazo, Herron High School, Indianapolis
- Dalanie Lamb, Indiana Digital Gateway Academy, Anderson
- Bobbie Graves, Switzerland County High School
- Christian Rhodes, Homestead High School, Fort Wayne
- Kaden Sullivan, Monroe Central Jr./Sr. High School, Farmland
- Ishita Kute, Columbus North High School
- Elle Strother, West Washington High School
Bios for each student can be found on Indiana Humanities’ website.
