LCRC'S MIDDLE SCHOOL POETRY JAM 

2009

 

For the fourth year in a row, Middle School students from around the area dazzled all who were present as they artfully performed poetry for the Leon County Reading Council’s Middle School Poetry Jam! 

 Tuesday, April 14,2009, from 6:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M

 

 Poetry Jam Event

 

The April 21^st event was hosted by Florida State University School (FSUS) and 

 

 featured students from Belle Vue, Fairview, FSUS, and Swift Creek Middle Schools.  The Jam was kicked off in style by teacher Alicia Hall, who entertained the large audience with a recitation of a lively poem.  Phillip Mullings served as the event’s master of ceremonies 

 

     Students competed for fun and prizes before four distinguished judges: Ms. 

Shannon Ayrish, Ms. Sharon Hinsley, Mr. Bill Johnson, and Mr. Calvin Morris.  The 

students performed original or previously published poetry with gusto and creativity, sweeping the appreciative audience up in a tsunami of descriptive images and emotion!

Congratulations to the 2009 Winners:

 

Performances of original poems 

1^st Place - Kaitlin Duchene, Swift Creek;

 

2^nd Place – Shae Powers, Florida State University School;

 

3^rd Place – Sarah Moore, Belle Vue.

 

 

Read their original poems

 

 The other author/poets included Alaina Sapphire Branch, Dylan Franklin,

Avery Lansberry, and Austin Newell

 

     Recitations of previously published poems

1^st – Kathryn Crotty, who recited “The Spider and the Fly,” by Howitt;

 

2^nd – Alyssia Dickey & Kenidee Webster, who led the audience in a rousing

 

rendition of “The McDonald’s Rap,” author unknown;

 

 3^rd – Brooke Hunter – who recited “Smile,” by McLendon-Laumann.

 

      Beautiful recitations of previously published poems were given by

Darrien Brown and Angela Lugo.

 

This luminous event was a spectacular celebration of talent for

Poetry Month! 

 

 

 

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Poetry Jam Permission form 2009.doc

Poetry Jam Contest Guideline 2009.doc

 

 

 

1. Teachers may serve as the sole judges for their school/classroom competitions to determine which students will participate.  Please authenticate original poems.  The evaluation criteria that will be used for the contest is listed below.
2. The number of poems to be submitted by each school will be determined based on interest.
3. Maximum poem time is 3 minutes.
4. After all poems are performed, a panel of judges will choose 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place winners for “Original Poem Performance” and 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place winners for “Best Recitation of a Published Poem.”  All winning students will receive prizes.
5. Props are allowed, but not using props will not hurt scores.
6. Students may perform in pairs.  A pair would count as ONE entry.
7. Send typed copies of teacher-selected entries AND student permission forms to Noreen Beattie or Bonnie Clawson at Florida State University School. Entries should be received no later than Tuesday, April 7th.  Entries and permission forms should be mailed to 3000 School House Road, Tallahassee, FL 32311, faxed to (850) 245-3838, or dropped off to the front office of Florida State University School.  Please e-mail any questions to Noreen Beattie at nbeattie@fsu.edu or Bonnie Clawson at bclawson@fsu.edu or call (850) 245-3908.  PLEASE NOTE that poems and signed permission forms must be received at the same time, so if poems are e-mailed, please scan signed permission forms and send them as well. 

 

 

                                   EVALUATION CRITERIA

 

 

Criteria	“Original Poem” Point Maximum (100)	“Previously Published Poem” Point Maximum (100)
Content (Clarity of message; organization; quality of writing)	20	N/A
Use of Poetic Devices (alliteration, metaphors, similes, etc…)	10	N/A
Smooth, Relaxed,   (Mostly) Memorized Delivery	20	35
Creativity of Presentation	20	35
Adequate and Appropriate Volume	10	10
Pronunciation/Enunciation	10	10
Eye Contact	10	10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The finalists in the Middle School Poetry Jam met to compete before four distinguished judges for the coveted poetry titles and prizes.  Twelve students performed original or previously published poetry, challenging their recitation, drama, and creative writing skills.  The well spun poetic words embraced the audience.  The audience listened intently, smiled and enjoyed the students’ perspectives of themselves and the world revealed through their poems.  Teachers proudly watched their students present their final products for April - Poetry Month.  Parents beamed at their students accomplishments.

 

 

Prize Recipients

 

1^st prize       Brooke Harrison

 

2^nd prize      Melissa Gibson

 

3^rd prize       Patrick Holmes

 

 

 

Best Original Poem                          Caitland Conley

 

Most Thoughtful Poem                    Phoebe Scott

 

Most Inspirational                            Brittany Milligan

 

Best Recitation of a

 

     Previously Published Poem         La’Nedra Moore

 

 

 

Distinguished Judges

 

Dr. Patrick Grey

 

Mrs. Sharon Hinsley

 

Mr. Gary White

 

Mrs. Debbie Warner

 

 

 

Sponsored by Florida State University Middle School

 

Co-chairs

 

Noreen Beattie and Alicia Hall

 

 

 

Assisted by

 

Julianna Gillispie, Kathy Touvilla, and Jennifer Underhill

 

 

 

Hosted by

 

Phillip Mullings

 

 

 

Entertainment by

 

Scott Smith

 

 

Photography by

 

Barbara Davis

 

 

 

2007 Poetry Jam