written by Adam Koehler, A2 English teacher and Poetry Out Loud fan

The first week of March saw two of Great River’s own participating in the state semi-finals of the Poetry Out Loud recitation competition. A2 students, Val Heideman and Vasyl Shevstov, shared the stage with several other metro area students. Competitors performed recitations from two different poets to a panel of local literary judges. Each participant shared eloquent and insightful interpretations of poems from writers such as Dickenson, Hughes, Wittman, and Wheatley. It was a supportive and energetic event that shown brightly on talents of our youth.