Amya Thornton Headed to D.C. for Poetry Honors

Students around the country gathered together this weekend in their home states to practice the art of recitation of poetry in the Poetry Out Loud competition, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. Holmes Junior High's very own Amya Thornton (9) was selected as the winner for the Iowa contest and will be headed to Washington D.C. to compete in the national contest, all expenses paid! 

Amya memorized and performed three poems. She recited "How to Triumph Like a Girl" by Ada Limon and "Dirge in the Woods" by George Meredith. By making it to the final round, she was able to recite her third, "That's My Heart Right There" by Willie Perdomo.

As a result of Amya's accomplishment, Holmes will receive a $500 stipend to purchase books of poetry to enable students to learn and be inspired by the written word just as Amya has. The entire school is proud of Amya for this accomplishment and we will be cheering her on in April!

Click here to find out more about the Poetry Out Loud Competition.