By Jack Major
Staff Writer
When junior Annika Hanson finished the final line of her second poem, the crowd burst into applause, securing her the first-place title and recognition for her efforts.
Hanson first began to foster her admiration for poetry in elementary school. After seeing teachers and classmates reciting poetry, Hanson began reading and reciting poetry. Hanson now uses poetry as a way to express her emotions, she said.
Photos: Annika Hanson and Others Recite their Poems
“Within the realm of poetry, there is so much diversity in message, form and voice,” Hanson said. “Poetry is a beautiful way to show my feelings and is why I chose to participate in Poetry Out Loud.”
Hanson performed poems “Movement Song,” by Audre Lord, and “September, 1918,” by Amy Lowell.
For the full poems click here and here
“I picked my first poem, ‘Movement Song,’ after last year’s competition and fell in love with it,” Hanson said. “It has a meaning that I feel connected to because those topics are something everyone has to deal with in life.”
Hanson will prepare for the Los Angeles County competition that takes place at Cerritos High School in February.
Poetry Out Loud Official Website
“Next year should be great, and I am really looking forward to performing whatever poetry resonates with me at that point,” Hanson said. “Hopefully, there will be a large showing next year and a great competition.”
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