Bexley Student Wins Ohio's 2015 Poetry Out Loud State Finals, Advances to Nationals
by Ohio Arts Council's Staff
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Originally published March 9, 2015
Updated April 14, 2015
CONTACT:
Justin Nigro
614/728-4445
justin.nigro@oac.state.oh.us
Columbus, OH--Sarah Binau, a senior at Bexley High School in the Columbus suburb of Bexley, won Ohio's 10th annual Poetry Out Loud state finals held on Saturday, March 7 at the Lincoln Theatre in downtown Columbus.
"I am overwhelmed," she said moments after winning. "It's been a fantastic ride."
As the state champion, Binau earned a $300 prize and an all-expense-paid trip to compete in the Poetry Out Loud national finals in Washington, D.C., April 27-29, 2015. Thanks to her success, her school library will receive $500 for the purchase of poetry books.
At the national finals, Binau will represent Ohio and compete to become the national champion. The total award pool is $50,000, including a $20,000 top prize for the winner.
"I can't wait for what comes next," she said of competing in the national finals.
Lake Wilburn, the 2014 state champion and national runner-up, finished as this year's first runner-up in the state finals. Wilburn, a senior at Centennial High School in Columbus, received $200 and earned $200 for his school library. Ares Harper, a senior from Columbus Alternative High School in Columbus, placed as the second runner-up and received $100, with $50 for his school library.
Three other students earned honorable mentions: Anna McMurchy, a senior at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, finished fourth; Genevieve Urban, a freshman at The Lyceum in South Euclid, finished fifth; and Xander Borne, a senior at Green High School in Green, finished sixth.
More than 9,000 students from nearly 60 schools around Ohio participated in Poetry Out Loud competitions this year. After classroom-level and school-wide contests, 34 students remained to compete in the final event. They performed classic and contemporary poems for a panel of poetry and performance experts. Students were awarded points for voice and articulation, physical presence, dramatic appropriateness, level of complexity, evidence of understanding, accuracy, and overall performance.
All six finalists received a framed original block print, created by Cleveland artist Michael Gill. The print incorporated the poem, "The Promise of Blue," by Kazim Ali, a poet and Oberlin College professor. Ali also recited poems at the event and signed copies of his 2013 volume of poetry, Sky Ward, which were presented to the finalists.
Former state senator Eric H. Kearney of Cincinnati, who sponsored and passed legislation creating the position of Ohio Poet Laureate, emceed this year's state finals.
Ohio has an outstanding track record at the national level. Ohio champion Jackson Hille was the nation's first Poetry Out Loud winner in 2006, earning $20,000, and Wilburn earned $10,000 as last year's national runner-up. In addition, Ohio champion Mido Aly was among the top five national finalists in 2009, and 2013's state champion, Taribo Osuobeni, received an honorable mention.
To earn the win, Binau recited "After Apple-Picking" by Robert Frost, "Onions" by William Matthews, and "The Author to Her Book" by Anne Bradstreet.
POL-affiliated Columbus poet Rose Smith, who coached Lake Wilburn to his national runner-up finish in 2014, is helping Binau prepare for the 2015 national finals.
For a complete list of 2015 Ohio POL participating schools, lead teachers, and school champions, read the state finals program.
The Poetry Out Loud National Finals will feature 53 students from every state and Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Washington D.C., and will be held at the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University. Semifinals take place in three separate contests on Tuesday, April 28th, from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., with Ohio's champion competing with the region one contestants from 9 a.m. - noon.
Nine finalists from Tuesday's contests will advance to the final round, to be held on Wednesday, April 29, from 7 p.m. - 9:15 p.m. Semifinals and finals are free and open to the public; no tickets or reservations are required.
Award-winning poet Taylor Mali will host the final round, and the roster of judges includes poets Richard Blanco and Nikky Finney, writer and critic Maria Popova, novelist Brando Skyhorse, and educator Carol Jago.
Watch the entire national finals through a live, one-time only webcast; register online here. Gather fellow poetry fans for a viewing party and engage in social media. Follow the Poetry Out Loud National Finals on Twitter at @PoetryOutLoud and @NEAarts and use #POL15 in related posts.
For more information on the event, webcast, or viewing parties, visit arts.gov or call 202/682-5606.
Poetry Out Loud, the nation's largest youth poetry recitation competition, is presented by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation in partnership with the Ohio Arts Council. The program encourages high school students to learn about great poetry, master public-speaking skills, build self-confidence, and study their literary heritage.
About the Ohio Arts Council:
The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.
About the National Endowment for the Arts:
The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts--both new and established--bringing the arts to all Americans, and providing leadership in arts education.
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