State Recognition For Local Poetry Winners
Sonora, CA — The top three winners of Central Sierra Arts Council’s 2012 Poetry Out Loud Competition received letters of commendation from Congressman Jeff Denham’s office. Rob Rucker presented the letters, on behalf of Congressman Denham to the first place winner, Sonora High Senior Jonathon Bermea; second place, Connections Academy Sophomore Teresa Woods and Third Place Connections Academy Freshman Lauren Dempsey. Also in attendance were each student’s parents and B.Z. Smith, Tuolumne County’s 2012 Poetry Out Loud Program coordinator.
Tuolumne County Board of Supervisor, Randy Hanvelt also presented each student with a letter of commendation from the office of California Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen.
Central Sierra Arts Council executive director Connie O’Connor expressed her sincere thanks to Supervisor Hanvelt for helping to arrange the awarding of the honors. She also expressed her deep appreciation for their support of the Arts Council’s programs.
Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation contest, presented by the Poetry Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. Locally it is presented by Central Sierra Arts Council and the California Arts Council, working in cooperation with local high schools. Tuolumne County’s First Place Winner, Jonathon Bermea, will now go on to compete at the California State Poetry Out Loud Contest where he will compete with other California high school students for a chance to represent California at the National Poetry Out Loud Contest.
California’s POL takes place on March 25th & 26th in the Senate Chambers of the California State Capitol in Sacramento. For more information visit http://www.cac.ca.gov/poetryoutloud/index.php
