The first annual Alliance Française Poetry Contest, co-sponsored with MIIS was held on Saturday, February 26 in the Irvine Auditorium and was a big success.  One hundred and five students from eight schools (one middle school, 7 high schools and the Monterey Peninsula College) participated.   Original poems penned by the students  and recitations of famous poems were judged by three  experts: published poets Maurice O’Meara and Christiane d’Olive, and MIIS Professor Edgard Coly .  A total of  25  trophies  and a dozen books were awarded as prizes for the original poems and the recitations in three categories (middle school, high school, university) and three levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced). The winners were applauded by an enthusiastic audience, consisting of their students, their teachers, friends and parents.

It was touching to see so many youngsters  – who had obviously worked hard to prepare themselves for this competition – so eagerly devoting a whole Saturday afternoon to  poetry in a language other than their native one. Comments from their teachers indicated  that the contest had been a real motivating factor in their classes. We hope that the number of schools participating will increase in the coming years, and look forward to many more exciting concours annuels de poésie française.

The Alliance Française is a renowned worldwide non-profit corporation devoted to promoting the use and knowledge of the French language and the appreciation of French culture.