Poetry out loud

It seems with each successive generation, the older laments the arts and humanities are not treasured among the younger as much as they should be.

While this may hold some truth, the Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest is proof all hope is not lost.

The competition was designed to give young people a chance to improve their public-speaking abilities while learning to appreciate poetry and the time-honored tradition of poetry recitation.

The Southeast Regional Contest was held Jan. 16 at the Cape Girardeau Public Library, with Kirstan Graviett, a senior at Notre Dame Regional High School, being declared the winner.

Graviett's own story is an example of the older generation teaching the younger to appreciate the humanities.

Kirstan Graviett poses for a photo Wednesday at Notre Dame Regional High School.Glenn Landberg

"My grandma is actually an English teacher, so we would write stories together when I was younger. She was the one who introduced me to poetry," Graviett shared.

Graviett also revealed one of the poems she chose for recitation was at her grandmother's suggestion.

"One of the poems you choose has to have been written before the 20th century. My grandma helped me find 'Solitude' [by Ella Wheeler Wilcox], which is one of her favorites."

Graviett recited three poems during the event, and each one was selected thoughtfully.

"I chose 'Abandoned Farmhouse' because I thought that it fit with this area and would be easy for the judges and audience to relate to," Graviett said.

Kirstan Graviett poses for a photo at Notre Dame Regional High School on Feb. 3.Glenn Landberg

"Abandoned Farmhouse," by Ted Kooser, is a poem that depicts the mystery lingering around an old, abandoned homestead as it slowly decays, forgotten about on some patch of land.

One of the other pieces Graviett selected, "Cartoon Physics, part 1," by Nick Flynn, is a lively poem that uses cartoon imagery to illustrate the innocence of childhood.

"It was just a fun poem, and I really liked the message that kids should be able to focus on the fun things, rather than the big things outside of their control," Graviett said. "It reminded me of watching 'Looney Toons' and just laughing at all the ridiculous things."

Graviett's enthusiastic interest in English can easily be attributed to her grandmother, but how she became involved in the Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest can be traced back to a class at Notre Dame Regional High School and one encouraging teacher.

"I took a poetry class and the teacher made it really fun; it sort of gave me a different look at poetry," Graviett said.

Kirstan Graviett reads Abandoned Farmhouse by Ted Kooser during an assembly at Notre Dame Regional High School on Feb. 3.Glenn Landberg

"Poetry can seem kind of boring when you are in the lower grades, but the teacher helped us get a new perspective on it, and I enjoyed that. She was actually the reason I got involved in the contest. She stopped me in the hallway, handed me a flyer and asked if I wanted to do it. I just said, 'Sure. It sounds like fun!'"

Contestants are judged based on their abilities in the areas of physical presence, understanding of the subject matter, voice, accuracy of recitation and overall performance. Graviett seemed at ease with the challenge.

"I had not really had public speaking experience before this," she said, "but I am pretty comfortable with it."

Her ability to take on something new was clearly evident in her winning performance.

Beyond the contest, Graviett aspires to continue pursuing English. She writes her own poetry and plans to go to college to pursue her passion for writing.

Graviett's win in the regional competition made her eligible to compete at the state level, which she said she is excitedly awaiting.

The state competition will be held March 10 in Jefferson City, Missouri. If Graviett wins there, she will go on to the national competition, taking place May 2 through 4 in Washington, D.C.