From a competitive field of more than 1,500 students across the state, Whitney Baxter from Providence Academy in Johnson City, Tenn., received the title of 2013 Poetry Out Loud Tennessee State Champion. The state finals were held at the Tennessee Governor's Residence in March.
Baxter will represent Tennessee on the national level. She said, "I love reciting these poems. So, naturally I am most looking forward to performing them and representing Tennessee at the national level. When I am on stage, I feel I am right where I am supposed to be. There is no other feeling like it. I can't wait to get on that stage at nationals and give it all I've got."
Her final recitation, "Poor Angels" by Edward Hirsch, is a poem about a soul not wanting to leave its worldly body.
Poetry Out Loud encourages the study of great poetry by offering educational material and a recitation competition to high schools. Beginning at the classroom level, winners advance to a schoolwide competition, then to the state competition, and ultimately to the Nationals Finals in Washington, DC.
Baxter received $1,000 and an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete for the national championship. Providence Academy will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books.
