Ms. Hazel Leo of Iakina Adventist Academy has won the Poetry Out Loud Competition for the third year in a row.
The competition held last Friday at the ASCC Multi-Purpose Center had ten finalists.
And the judges choice for first place was Hazel Leo. Here’s an excerpt of her recitation of, “Don’t Let me be Lonely at the Airport Security Checkpoint,” by Claudia Rankine.
Play Audio
(Transc.) Leo: At the airport security checkpoint, on my way to visit my grandmother. I am asked to drink from my water bottle. This water bottle. That’s right. Open it and drink from it. At the airport security checkpoint, on my way to visit my grandmother, I am asked to take off my shoes. Take off my shoes. Yes. Both, please. At the airport security checkpoint, on my way to visit my grandmother, I am asked if I have a fever. A fever. Really? Yes. Really?
Her victory wins her a trip to the Poetry Out Loud National finals in Washington DC, May 5-7.
Johnson Ailima of Faasao Marist High School was 2nd overall and third place went to Lama Jake Petelo of Manu’a High School. The other finalists were:
- Ulutaumamao Fuimaono- Samoana High School,
- Alexandra Isaako- Tafuna High School,
- Pamata Mapu- Kanana Fou HS,
- Fuarosa Molesi- Leone High School,
- Chloey Sylveerine B. Sandi- South Pacific Academy,
- Peau Tu’u Sila- Fagaitua High School (12th), and
- Ersi Tang – Pacific Horizons HS.
