Delaware Awards 2018 ‘Poetry Out Loud’ Champion

From a competitive field of 12 Delaware high school students, Samuel McGarvey, a sophomore from Tall Oaks Classical School, earned the title of 2018 Poetry Out Loud Delaware State Champion last night at the state finals in Dover.

McGarvey said the competition this year was tough, and that it was an honor to be among the finalists. But when the judges read his name as the overall winner, he was overwhelmed. “I was really surprised; it was the greatest feeling ever!”

McGarvey was in fact the state second-runner up in last year’s competition. “When they read the name of the semifinalist (this year), I thought I didn’t win. And I already had my sights set on next year,” said McGarvey.

The first runner-up this year was Dounya Ramadan from Newark Charter Jr./Sr. High School. The program is sponsored by the Delaware Division of the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Poetry Foundation.

McGarvey’s final recitation, I Remember, I Remember by Thomas Hood, earned him high marks with the judges. Students were evaluated on physical appearance, voice and articulation, dramatic appropriateness, evidence of understanding and overall performance. “One thing that I try to focus on is overall performance more than anything else – just how it all comes together.”

His full poem can be found on the Poetry Foundation’s website.

For his winning presentation, McGarvey will receive $200 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, DC, with a chaperone to compete at the national championship on April 23-25.

“I am so excited to go to Washington and represent Delaware. I hope to work to the best of my ability and to the glory of God.” Congratulations to McGarvey and all of the 2018 Delaware State Finalists!

2018 Delaware State Finalists

Photo credit: Joe del Tufo