The Santa Barbara County Arts Commission hosted the county’s Poetry Out Loud competition at the Santa Barbara County Administration Building on Feb. 4, ultimately awarding Pioneer Valley High School senior Aldrin Allen Ysip first place. Students from 18 of the county’s schools recited poems, and Ysip earned the distinction that qualifies the teen to head for the state finals in Sacramento on March 15 and 16.
Ysip recited “A Display of Mackerel” by Mark Doty, and was closely followed by fellow PVHS student Axelina Hallstrom, who earned second place for her recitation of “The Death of Allegory” by Billy Collins. Orcutt Academy High School student Aaron Garcia received an honorable mention for his performance of “Onions” by William Matthews.
The Poetry Out Loud program is designed to foster the next generation of literary readers with an emphasis on language skills and public speaking. More information is available through the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission at 568-3990 or sbartscommission.org.
This article appears in Feb 12-19, 2015.