Monday, April 16 was the second annual 8th-grade poetry recitation competition. Students recited poems from memory and, for the first time in the competition’s two-year history, Co-Champion’s were named.

Coincidently, April happens to be National Poetry Month, and in the spirit of poetry, all 101 eighth graders spent the past few weeks getting to know their poems, understanding them, memorizing them, and ultimately reciting them in front of their teachers and classmates.

Each English 8 section then selected the top competitor to represent their class in the 2nd annual McQuaid Jesuit Eighth Grade Poetry Recitation Competition.

All finalists received $10 in Amazon gift cards. The winner received a $60 Amazon gift card.

“The Man With Night Sweats” by Thom Gunnperformed was performed by Stanford Smith, who represented Mr. Dan Hershel’s period eight English class.

“The Charge of the Light Brigade” by Alfred Lord Tennyson was performed by Michael Teresi, who represented Mr. Hershel’s fourth period English class.

“Common Dust” By Georgia Douglas Johnson was performed by Gavin Patel, who represented Mr. Dugan’s period four English class

“The Obligation to Be Happy” by Linda Pastan was performed by Colin Bavibidila, representing
Dr. Parks’ section.

Last but surely not least, “America” By Claude McKay was performed by Hunter Smith who represented Mr. Dugan’s period 3 English class.

The judges all came with extensive knowledge of both poetry and of the performing arts: English and Drama teacher, Mrs. Pam Stoffel, English and Acting Seminar teacher, Mr. Jeff Siuda, Veteran English teacher, Mrs. Tracey Bors. And, finally, serving as the accuracy judge was the principal of McQuaid Jesuit Mr. Adam Baber.

The students performed in the auditorium in front of their eighth grade classmates as well as the seventh grade class. They had to stand in front of a open microphone, with no podium to hide behind.

All the students performed with poise and heart; however, there could only be one winner.  At least that was the presumption.  Receiving identical scores were co-champions Stanford Smith and Colin Bavibidila.

Congratulation to all the young men who participated, and as Mr. Hershel said, “Seventh graders… it’s never too early to begin preparing for next year’s competition!”