ON THE ARTS
Poetry in Motion: Moving Up! Bernice Hightower ’21 won the New Jersey Poetry Out Loud Region One contest in February, becoming one of 12 students to qualify for the New Jersey Poetry Out Loud state championship, which was to be held in March at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, prior to its cancellation due to the coronavirus pandemic. State victors were to earn spots at the Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington, D.C., which was also canceled. Hightower presented “Movement Song” and “Worth” by Marilyn Nelson, and “To S. M., A Young African Painter, On Seeing His Works” by Phillis Wheatley to advance from the regional event. Students from grades 9-12 must recite their selections from 14
Bernice Hightower ’21 was in contention to become the national Poetry Out Loud champion.
memory, one poem per round of competition.
Poetry Out Loud is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, along with state arts agencies to encourage the nation’s youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build selfconfidence, and learn about their literary heritage.
T H E L AW R E N T I A N
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