Love of poetry could pay college tuition for student
Jennifer Crossley Howard with the Anderson Independent Mail interviewed Crescent High School junior Ashley Kiley, who is one of nine finalists competing in the state Poetry Out Loud finals. The public is invited to attend the finals, taking place March 16 at the Columbia Museum of Art from 1 – 3 p.m.
“The 16-year-old sits in the Crescent High School Library with the confidence of a college student, hands clasped, good posture, and speaks with enunciation that would make her English teacher proud. She describes herself as outgoing and laughs as she shares that she was named the most dramatic in her third-grade class.
She will use those characteristics Saturday as she recites verses in the Poetry Out Loud state finals in Columbia. The South Carolina Arts Commission partners with other state organizations to produce the contest every year, and one of nine finalists will advance to the national finals in April in Washington, D.C.
This is Ashley’s last shot at moving to the national competition and her second time making it to state. Last year she was runner-up to winner Sam Gutshall of Charleston.
‘I just want to make it to nationals, I don’t have to win,’ Ashley said.”
Photo courtesy Anderson Independent Mail
Via: Anderson Independent Mail