The third annual French Poetry Contest, co-sponsored by our GSTILE French Program  and the Alliance Française of the Monterey Peninsula, was held in Irvine Auditorium on March 16, 2013. Fifty-two students from the Monterey area’s middle schools, high schools and colleges participated in the two categories: original poems written by the candidates in French, and recitations of poems from French and Francophone literature.

MIIS Professor Michel Gueldry  and  Alliance Française President Madame de Sibert greeted the candidates.  Three judges: Professors Edgard Coly and  John Hedgcock and Toni O’Meara (former DLI professor and published poet) read the original poems and heard the recitations. Trophies were awarded for first, second and third prizes, as well as many honorable mention certificates. The candidates ranged from young teenagers to mature college students; they all displayed much enthusiasm in their high quality presentations and interpretations. The enthusiastic applause they received from the audience emphasized the success of the event.

MIIS Translation and Localization Professor Max Troyer also helped with the event by designing and printing the programs, as well as all the beautiful certificates that the candidates received. A few MIIS students helped the candidates throughout the course of the event as well: Leslie Hayner was a most gracious hostess, Francesca Isaia helped tabulate the judging of the original poems, and Gael Tovivo made sure each candidate was comfortable on the stage.