POL Northern Regional Finals

Amazing High School Students

Five Northern Maine Finalists: Shaphnah McKenzie, Emma Jacot-Descombes, Magnolia Vandiver, Hanna Lavenson, Emily Campbell

At Hampden Academy earlier this week students, teachers and families traveled from different parts of Maine to recite poetry. The Maine Arts Commission held the Poetry Out Loud (POL) Northern Maine Regional Finals in conjunction with the Poetry Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. Students have been practicing and reciting poems in schools across the state and country since early in fall. For the event they had prepared three recitations and wowed the audience with their amazing performances.

We’re so proud of the following students who participated. The names with stars are the five students moving onto the state finals on March 11 at the Waterville Opera House, 3:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. All are welcome!

• Hanna Lavenson, Messalonskee High School **
• Emily Campbell, Waterville High School **
• Emma Damboise, Hampden Academy
• Kate Kemper, Camden Hills Regional High School
• Maria Dottie, Winthrop High School
• DiamondRose Dunfee-Platt, Searsport High School
• Rebecca Collins, Presque Isle High School
• Emma Jacot-Descombes, Rangeley Lakes Regional High School **
• Magnolia Vandiver, George Stevens Academy **
• Shaphnah McKenzie, Bangor High School **
• Elias Miller, Medomak Valley High School
• Neily Raymond, Hermon High School
• Kaitlyn Bilodeau, Leavitt Area High School
• Kaitlyn Carreira, John Bapst Memorial High School
• Shelby Skipper, Gardiner Area High School

The Southern Regional Finals will take place on Monday, February 11, 3:00, Westbrook Middle School Performing Arts Center. For more information about the Poetry Out Loud program please go the POL pages at the Maine Arts Commission website.