Making new history
Joao Victor reciting at the National Poetry Out Loud finals in Washington D.C.
The City Council in Lewiston has created a new position – “Youth Poet Laureate” of the city and presented it to the state’s 2019 Poetry Out Loud Champion.
And, the purpose you might wonder? To encourage youth involvement in the arts. If you ask me – that is PRETTY WONDERFUL! Congratulations Victor!
Read the ENTIRE ARTICLE in the Sun Journal, written by Andrew Rice.
Moving to the national finals
First poem recitation
State Poetry Out Loud champions from across the country converged at the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University in Washington, DC yesterday. During three different blocks of time students representing each state recited poetry as part of the semifinals.
Joao Victor represented Maine and was scheduled during the first time slot, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. He recited two poems along with 17 other students. Students at Lewiston High School watched from their classrooms along with students, teachers, and community members from across the state. Everyone was excited when Victor’s name was called as one of 8 students to move to the next round, reciting a third poem.
At the end of round three 8 students held their breath as three finalists were named. Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts 
will move on to the national finals tonight, Wednesday along with 6 other students, representing the other two regions of the country. Yes, that means that out of thousands of students Joao Victor of Maine will be one of 9 students.
Again each will recite two poems, finalists will be selected to recite their third poem and a student will be named the National Poetry Out Loud Champion. The webcast live will take place at Lisner Auditorium, tonight at 7:00 p.m at THIS LINK.
Brian Evans-Jones, poet from South Berwick, has been coaching Victor since he was named Maine’s champion. The Maine Arts Commission is grateful for Brian’s commitment to the Poetry Out Loud program. Jim Siragusa, Victor’s English teacher has been working with him since the fall preparing him for the program. Jim is retiring this year after 38 years. Congratulations Jim and best of luck to Victor. You’ve made Maine proud already!
Receiving his plaque at the end of the second round of recitations.
Victor learning he was one of three to move on to the national finals.
On Victor’s left is Rose E. Hansen, Norwell High School, Massachusetts and his right is Escaja-Heiss, South Burlington High School, Vermont
Victor and his English teacher Mr. Siragusa at the State House last month after reciting for the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee
Congressional Art Awards
The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 700,000 high school students have competed for the honor of having their work shown in the U.S. Capitol.
The competition is open to all high school students. The overall winner of each participating district will have the opportunity to have their work displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for the entire year, beginning in June. In addition, winners will be flown to Washington, D.C. for the official opening of the show in June.
Congratulations to the following students who are being honored this year, 2015
DISTRICT ONE |
DISTRICT TWO |
|
| WINNER | WINNER | |
 |
 |
|
| Self Portrait acrylic | The Widow white charcoal | |
| Djordje Jevtic Grade 12, Scarborough High School Art Teacher: Erin Landry-Fowler | Liam Reading Grade 12, Bangor High School Art Teacher: Kal Elmore | |
| FIRST RUNNER UP | FIRST RUNNER UP | |
 |
 |
|
| Self Portrait graphite | Airport ink pen | |
|
Anna Kinee
Grade 12, Brunswick High School
Art Teacher: Allison Price |
Youjin Choi
Grade 11, Foxcroft Academy
Art Teacher: Jane Blay |
|
| SECOND RUNNER UP | SECOND RUNNER UP | |
 |
 |
|
| After the Music is Over charcoal | Mirror’s Reflection charcoal | |
| Olivia Potter
Grade 10, Morse High School
Art Teacher: Heather Monsen |
Maxwell Clarrage
Grade 11, Lewiston High School
Art Teacher: Nathaniel Meyer |
|
| HONORABLE MENTION | HONORABLE MENTION | |
 |
 |
|
| Living in a Bottle photography | Inside the Yellow Room gouache | |
| Kailey Coleman
Grade 12, Noble High School
Art Teacher: Ginny Vakalis |
Jingfei Zhou
Grade 12, Gould Academy
Art Teacher: Lauren Head |
|
| HONORABLE MENTION | HONORABLE MENTION | |
 |
 |
|
| Lips acrylic | Pores photography | |
| Haleigh McKechnie
Grade 12, Thornton Academy
Art Teacher: Jennifer Merry |
Riley Hemmings
Grade 11, Hebron Academy
Art Teacher: Jeanine Eschenbach |
|
| HONORABLE MENTION | HONORABLE MENTION | |
 |
 |
|
| The Bermuda Triangle digital | Menenius digital | |
| Lily Munro
Grade 10, Brunswick High School
Art Teacher: Colleen Kearney-Graffam |
Meghan McDunnah
Grade 12, Mount Desert Island High School
Art Teacher: Charlie Johnson |
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and Congressman Bruce Poliquin are delighted to announce the winners of the 2015 Congressional Arts Awards in Maine’s Congressional districts.
Pingree congratulates Djordje Jevtic, an exchange student from Belgrade, Serbia, who is attending Scarborough High School, for his winning artwork, “Self Portrait,” a distinctive work in acrylic.
“I’m always amazed by the quality of work that Maine students submit to this competition,” said Pingree. “I’m excited that Djordje’s work will represent our state at the Capitol—it shows a lot of talent. Winning the competition should be a great memory of Maine for him to bring back home,” “My thanks and congratulations go to all the students who participated this year, the art teachers who inspire them, and the Maine Arts Commission for coordinating this wonderful event. ”
Poliquin acknowledged Liam Reading, a senior at Bangor High School, as this year’s winner for Maine’s Second District for his white charcoal piece, “The Widow.”
“I continue to be amazed by the extraordinary talent and work of our Maine high school students,” said Poliquin. “Congratulations to Liam, and everyone who entered the competition, for sharing their artistic gifts.”
For information about the Congressional Art Competition please contact Julie Horn at the Maine Arts Commission, at 207-287-2790 or julie.horn@maine.gov
me arts ed 