By: Eric Furth
Staff Writer
Eight Costa students had the opportunity to reveal their inner poet on Jan. 15 at Mira Costa’s fourth annual Poetry Out Loud competition.
The national Poetry Out Loud competition committee preselected 70 possible poems that each contestant could chose two from. They presented both poems in front of a panel of judges, as well as an audience of assorted Costa students, alumni, staff and members of Manhattan Beach’s local poetry circle.
“There is so much value to reading, writing, and performing poetry,” English teacher and emcee Diana Sieker said. “What I love about Poetry Out Loud is that the competition is a means for poems to be heard instead of being read silently on a page.”
This year’s winner was the returning champion of the 2014 Poetry Out Loud competition, junior Miriam Sachs. Second place went to junior Darby Power, third to sophomore Keeley Parker, and fourth to junior Yoshi Cohn.
“I was so excited to be able to share these poems with the rest of the crowd, as well as just share some of my original poetry during the free mic session,” said Sachs.
Sachs won the competition with her two poems “They Are Hostile Nations” by Margaret Atwood and “Ah! Why, Because the Dazzling Sun” by Emily Bronte.
“I chose Bronte’s poem because it was a different style of writing, and I thought it’d be a cool challenge.” Sachs said. “I chose Atwood’s poem because I love her writing.”
Sachs will move onto the Los Angeles County Poetry Out Loud competition, where the winner will then advance to the statewide competition, and a final national competition.
“Last year, I made it to the countywide competition, but lost,” Sachs said. “I still had fun competing, and I hope I can read poetry, whether it’s my own or someone else’s.”
Outside of school, Sachs enjoys writing her own poetry, including “Seeds”, “Gap” and “For Tonight”. She recites her poems during In-House Arts, a monthly event she assists in organizing, where students have an opportunity to reveal their talent to the local community. Additionally, she attends open mic nights at various locations in the Los Angeles area, such as Redondo Beach’s Coffee Cartel. Recently, Sachs read original poetry, titled “Alive” and “26 Seconds”, at the University of Southern California during a celebration for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr..
“I always like writing and it kind of just channeled into the form of poetry,” said Sachs. “I’m just so happy that it came naturally, and I’m just having a blast with poetry right now.”
English teachers Quincy Howerton, Nicole Wachell, Jessica Wiseman and Alan Zeoli, as well as Teacher-Librarian Jane Lofton judged the performances. Sieker coordinated and hosted the competition.
“Poetry displays both the beauty and power of language; it showcases the rawness of human emotion and the value of creative reflection and introspection,” Sieker said. “A single poem can change your mood, change your mind, change your day, or change your entire universe.”
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