On Friday, February 27, 2009 several MIISpoken members attended a “Poetry Out Loud” competition among local high school students at the Steinbeck Public Library in Salinas, California. One of our MIISpoken members works with the Arts Council for Monterey County and helped plan this Monterey County “Poetry Out Loud” competition that challenges high schoolers to explore the great poems of American literature through performance. By bringing these poems from the page to the stage young studenst are encouraged to pursue deeper analysis, forge personal connections to the literature, and develop confidence in public speaking.

Garland Thompson Jr., a local actor, poet, playwright, and all around cool dude looking out for the kids has been a driving force in producing this event annually. In addition to some fine sharing of works by Edgar Allen Poe and Langston Hughes, an open microphone session drew a wide variety of sharing. The evening ended with a powerful poem by Amir Sulaiman called “Danger” that was performed by the winning student from Pacific Grove high school.