|
February 7, 2007 - Lovers of literary lyrics gathered once again for Higher Achievement’s 2nd Annual Literary Love Poetry Performance, a regional event created to celebrate the poetic skills of Higher Achievement scholars, grades 5-8.
The evening’s poets comprised the ten scholars who claimed the winning titles at Achievement Centers, located in Wards 1,4, 6, and 7 in the District and the new Center in Alexandria, VA. At these contests, interested scholars wrote love poems that demonstrated their command of literary devices, like similes, metaphors, and imagery. Each finalist presented his/her poem to a panel of judges, which chose two winners per Center.
For a standing-room only audience, the winning scholar poets performed their poems with poise and confidence. Whether dribbling an imaginary basketball or raising arms in praise of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Higher Achievement scholars conveyed the diverse subjects with pride. The poems gave a glimpse into the minds of today’s adolescents. Their inspirations ranged from the war in Iraq to Gummi worms, from the loss of an uncle to the loss of a stuffed animal, from questioning “who loves me?” to celebrating love of family.
It wasn’t memorizing her lengthy poem or performing in front of hundreds of people that challenged Maria Lumbre. The most difficult thing for Maria was appearing to the audience as if she did not have confidence. In the performance of her poem, “I Lack Confidence (I Have Confidence)”, Maria portrays her growth from a shy girl to the confident scholar she has become. She and her family attribute Maria’s social and academic development to Higher Achievement. Maria, an 8th grader at St. Gabriel’s Catholic School, has been in Higher Achievement since 5th grade.
On this night, once and only once, Maria had to forget everything that she has been taught by Higher Achievement staff. Make eye contact. Lift your chin. Speak with authority. Let your voice be heard! Every scholar hears these words daily and is pushed to have confidence.
The Executive Director, Richard Anthony Tagle, closed the evening by sharing a childhood story of poetry. He expressed that the most precious treasures in life come from the heart, like the scholars’ poems.
Winning Poets Included:
ü Maria Lumbre, I Lack Confidence (I Have Confidence)
ü Serena McIntire, The Love-Drained Blues
ü Ashley Neil, Candy
ü Naomi Stanford, Love and War
ü Alexander Faunteroy, A Love Yet Lost
ü Avery James, What is Love
ü Samaria Mpiani, Who Loves Me Cuz I Wanna Know
ü Percell Watson, Basketball
ü Greglena Sanders, Always Loved Me
ü Daria Fogan, My Love |
