By Barrett Leverette

The Butler County School System held its annual Poetry Out Loud Regional Competition on Dec. 1.

Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages high school students to appreciate poetry by promoting the memorization and recitation of literary works of art. This program aims to promote literary history and public speaking, all while building self-confidence. Annually Poetry Out Loud rewards $50,000 worth of rewards and school-stipends at the National Finals.

Beginning at the local level, schools select representatives for two separate categories. These participants represent each school at the state competition. This year Greenville High School, McKenzie High School, and Georgiana High School named five winners, collectively.

Haley Downey won second place in the Anthology category. For the Original category, Deja Bonner won Honorable Mention. Both students attend Greenville High School.

McKenzie High School’s Lauren Pierce won Honorable Mention in the Anthology category.

From Georgiana High School, Turner Vickery won first in the Original category and Preston Hoffman won first in the Anthology category.

At state the overall winner will receive $200 and an all-expense paid trip to Washington D. C.  The state winner’s school will also receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. The runner-up winner will receive $100 and a $200 stipend for his or her school.

All five students will advance to the state finals that will be held at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival on Feb. 19.