Comet staff report

Poetry personified These Carroll Elementary fourth graders were winners at the school's Poetry Night. They each recited a James Whitcomb Riley poem and dressed up as a character in the poem. Pictured l-r are: Front - Michael Strawcutter, first place; Dakotah Wilson, second. Back - Alex Hickner and Alivia Seward, tie for third. Photo provided All Carroll Elementary fourth graders took part in Poetry Night on March 16 at the school.

The purpose of the event was to celebrate the successes of famous Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley, while at the same time learning how to recite a poem in front of a large audience.

Prior to that night, each child chose a Riley poem to memorize. The students learned how to present the poem with proper loudness, pitch, expression, and drama. That night, they each dressed up appropriately to portray the character in their poem.

All students performed their poems in front of a judge. The top four students from each classroom comprised the 16 finalists who then recited their poems in front of the entire fourth grade and four judges.

Judges were Carolyn O'Connell, principal; Natalie McQuaid, assistant principal; Dawn Sanders, speech pathologist; and Diana Brown, first grade teacher.

The classrooms filled up as parents, friends, and families came to hear the children recite their poems.

Finally, everyone met in the gym to hear the 16 finalists perform and find out who the winners were.

Finalists were: Seth Eldridge, Rebekah Forgey, Colton Carmack, Zac Turnpaugh, Ariel Wood, Mariah Grimes, Alexia Miller, Makayla Cowl, Michael Strawcutter, Sybl Pencek, Nicholas Miller, Breanne Morrow, Jourdan Martin, Dakotah Wilson, Alex Hickner, and Alivia Seward.

Winners were Michael Strawcutter, first place; Dakotah Wilson, second; and Alex Hickner and Alivia Seward, tie for third.