BEYOND the BOOKS
Arabic Poetry, By Heart
The Award winners of the 2013 COLT Poetry Recitation Contest were: Ridgley Knapp ’16, Gold Medal,
Sophie Graf (GA), Gold Medal,
Arabic High School Level 1
Honors Arabic High School
2013 COLT Poetry Recitation Contest, held in
James Bell ’14, Gold Medal,
J.D. Donahey ’15, Silver Medal,
April at Choate Rosemary Hall.
Arabic High School Level 3
Arabic High School Level 2
In a Brunswick first, Upper School Arabic students took home the gold this spring at the
Brunswick students memorized and recited poems by Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, earning three gold medals and a silver in the Arabic Language Division. It was Brunswick’s first-ever Arabic appearance at the contest, run by the Connecticut Council of Language Teachers. Contestants recite poems they have memorized, an important distinction from more common events at which poetry is read aloud. “Everything is by heart,” said Upper School Arabic teacher Mimi Melkonian. “There is no
Full of Sound & Fury Legendary movie director Cecil B. de Mille couldn’t have made a stronger statement: When Shakespeare takes the stage, punctuality is vehemently advised. Middle School Latin, English & Drama teacher James Canning made that point dramatically and humorously clear in an e-mail to his colleagues preceding a 6th grade Shakespeare performance in May.
reading. “This is a lost art in this part of the world,” she said. “Once you memorize a poem, you are free from any constraints. You interpret far better. You and the poem are one.” More than 600 competitors from 59 schools participated in the contest, reciting poetry for a panel of judges in 16 different languages. “I think it’s a big achievement for our students,” Melkonian said. “It’s a triumph for Brunswick and our boys.” Launched in 2006, Brunswick’s Arabic program continues to grow. It includes Arabic I through IV, beginning with an introduction to the Arabic alphabet, continuing with vocabulary and conversation skills, and moving at the higher levels towards mastery of the language and fluency.
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