Congratulations to sophomore Sarah Meehan for winning Niles West’s 3rd annual Poetry Out Loud competition, which is a National Recitation Contest, on Thursday, Feb. 10. Meehan recited Ted Kooser’s “Abandoned Farmhouse.”

About 50 other students stayed after school to recite their poems in room 2040 in front of four judges, which included English teachers Sharon Swanson and Lisa DeNapoli. Students ranged in ages and poems, as they performed before quite a large audience (teachers and students) all giving different interpretations of their chosen poem. Judges then narrowed down their choices to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.

Second place was given to Jambi Evangelista, who read Jimmy Santiago Baca’s “I Am Offering This Poem,” and third place came to a tie with Erin Fair, who recited Linda Pastan’s “The Obligation to be Happy.,” and Riyushi Mahadik, who read Jimmy Santiago Baca’s “Who Understands Me but Me.” Tamara Jaffe-Notier, English teacher and co-event organizer, said she likes giving students the opportunity to be a part of the competition.

“Memorizing a poem gives you a new perspective on the world, and I love seeing that experience in students,” she says.

Meehan will move on to compete at Regionals at Northwestern University, Tuesday Feb. 15.

Meehan said that she is excited and nervous for the next level of competition.

“The next round of the poetry competition is really nerve racking. I’ve only had a weekend to memorize my new poem, and I have no idea what to expect. I’m really excited, and all I can say is that I will do my best! I have no idea how I will do, but I hope that I make it to the next round,” she wrote in an email.