| For immediate release May 5, 2006 Contact: Susan Levi Wallach (803) 699-2800 ext. 2782 Elizabeth Stepp to compete in national Poetry Out Loud finals |
| Columbia, SC: Elizabeth Stepp, a sophomore at Richland Northeast High School's
Palmetto Center for the Arts, won the statewide Poetry Out Loud competition and will go on
to the national competition in Washington, DC, on May 17th. Stepp was one of eight
competitors from schools throughout the Midlands. Stepp will read three poems at the finals: "Conversation, by Ai; "A Satirical Elegy on the Death of a Late Famous General," by Jonathan Swift; and "A Supermarket in California," by Allen Ginsburg. "Elizabeth has a marvelous grasp and understanding of each poem and possess such a great look and poise," said Neil Hance, PCA drama/acting instructor. "She also uses a clear and articulate delivery style with near perfect pace and tempo. She will represent the State of South Carolina well." <,/p> Poetry Out Loud is a pilot program of the National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation. RNE, working with the USC Poetry Initiative, is one of eight participating schools in the Midlands. Schools in every state and the District of Columbia have participated in the Poetry Out Loud event. The Poetry Out Loud National Finals will take place at the Lincoln Theatre. "By memorizing a poem, a student gets a profound and intimate understanding of that work of literature," said NEA Chair Dana Gioia. "Furthermore, the experience of reciting a poem before their peers and the public will strengthen skills that students will use every day in the workplace and in the community."
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