Standout Student: Armstrong Poet Stella Wright Wins State Competition
Armstrong High School junior Stella Wright will represent Minnesota in the national Poetry Out Loud competition in May. Wright qualified after winning the Minnesota competition last month.
Wright presented three poems, which contained common themes of struggle, challenge and oppression.
“You learn and memorize three pieces that resonate with you and then you present them,” said Wright.
The students were scored on their stage presence and how well they understood and articulated their poems.
“What you really want to do is to make people feel what you’re saying,” Wright said.
Wright selected an 1854 poem about slavery by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. Another selection was “Ode to the Midwest” by poet and author Kevin Young.
“Definitely could relate to Kevin Young when he was talking about being the only Black person he knew.”
Her third selection was “I Look at the World” by Langston Hughes.
Wright also writes original poems, sometimes focusing on social justice.
“She is an all-around talent where she is not only writing it but she’s also delivering it and making it matter and there’s a genuine sincerity in her delivery that makes it very special,” said Jenny Lovitt, an Armstrong teacher.
The national Poetry Out Loud competition will stream on Sunday, May 1, with 55 contestants. The top nine students advancing to the national finals will stream on Sunday, June 5. Both the semifinals and finals will be streamed at arts.gov.
Stella Wright performs at state Poetry Out Loud competition.
Also See: Standout Student: Park Center’s Ashuntes Bounds
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