Hazel Ipuniuesea Leo, the Poetry Out Loud Champion from American Samoa, was among the Top 8 finalists in Region 3 at the national competition on Tuesday at George Washington University. Although she didn’t make the top three in her group to advance to the finals, her selection in the Top 8 from among 19 other competitors was a remarkable accomplishment.
Here’s an excerpt from the poem that Hazel recited for the semifinals, Siren Song by Margaret Atwood.
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(Transc.) Leo: “This is the one song everyone would like to learn. The song that is irresistible. The song that forces men to leap overboard in squadrons, even though they see the beached skulls. The song nobody knows because anyone who has heard it, is dead. And the others can’t remember. Shall I tell you the secret? And if I do, will you get me out of this bird suit?”
Hazel, a senior at Iakina Adventist Academy, was accompanied to the national competition by Iakina Adventist Academy Counselor Jessebeth Lynn Ropeti and Tasi Sunia of the American Samoa Council on Arts, Culture, and Humanities.
This was the third time that Hazel, the daughter of Alofau and Tala Leo of Masefau participated in the national Poetry Out Loud competition. Last year, she was also a Top 8 finalist in her group.
Malo Lava, Hazel!
