Middle School Celebrates Poetry at Ars Poetica

Sierra Canyon recently hosted its 10^th annual Middle School Ars Poetica competition.

The event celebrates poetry and offers Middle School students a platform to showcase their recitation skills. The selection process is thoughtfully structured: every 7^th and 8^th Grade student selects a poem to memorize and perform in front of their English class, where teachers evaluate memorization, vocal delivery, stage presence, and overall presentation. Each teacher selects standout performers to audition before a panel of Upper School English faculty—Mr. Gabe Bitto, Dr. Danielle Domzalski, Mr. Eric Schrode, and Mr. Mikael Romano. This panel selects a group of finalists to take the stage at the Ars Poetica competition.

Throughout the school year, Middle School students engage with various literary works in English class. The poetry unit, taught in the second semester, has become an integral part of the curriculum, introducing students to diverse poetic forms and encouraging them to develop and share their creative voices. The ten finalists had the opportunity to recite their chosen poem in front of the entire Upper Campus community. The panel of judges included Dr. Emily Weisberg, Mr. Leo Glaze, Ms. Nicole Miller, Mr. Matt Armstrong, and Mr. Steve Faulkner. The talent displayed by these young poets captivated parents, faculty, and peers alike. Given the strength of the performances, the judges had a challenging task, but they proudly recognized several students for their remarkable work.

This year's winners are:

1^st Place: Layla D. '30
2^nd Place: Meliame L. '29
3^rd Place: Rena Z. '30

Layla also received the People's Choice Award, a special honor determined by student votes.

The following is a list of this year's Ars Poetica competition finalists:

1. Rena Z. '30 – "Astrophil and Stella 1: Loving in truth, and fain in verse my love to show" by Sir Philip Sidney
2. Daniel S. '29 – "I Wandered Lonely As a Cloud" by William Wordsworth
3. Jake B. '29 – "Siren Song" by Margaret Atwood
4. Diana C. '30 – "Richard Cory" by Edwin Arlington Robinson
5. Meliame L. '29 – "Sonnet 104" by William Shakespeare
6. Derby B. '30 – "Openin' Night" by Shel Silverstein
7. Jasper B. '29 – "Those Winter Sundays" by Robert Hayden
8. Eva R. '29 – "Siren Song" by Margaret Atwood
9. Layla D. '30 – "Lady Lazarus" by Sylvia Plath
10. Eleanor D. '30 – "Tell all the truth but tell it slant" by Emily Dickinson

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