Sophia Brady reciting her poem.
Sophia Breanna Brady (’11) placed second in the regional Poetry Out Loud recitation contest at the Actors Gang Theater in Culver City on Feb. 10. She recited “A Farmer Remembers Lincoln” by Witter Bynner and “Monet Refuses the Operation” by Lisel Mueller.
Brady and the first place winner, Christian Bartz-Sanchez from Millikan High School whom she lost to by 0.5 score difference, were each awarded $35 gift cards to Barnes & Nobles. Although Brady is disappointed that she did not move onto the state competition, she said that the experience helped her as a drama student because “actresses have a lot of monologues, and reciting poetry is similar in that aspect.”
Brady was introduced to the contest by her English teacher Deborah Fox. After winning the school contest, she competed in the district contest on Jan. 14 against a Clark student. Brady said it was seemingly easy yet difficult because although she was competing against only one student, her competitor had been the previous regional finalist.
“In plays and musicals, she would be the first to memorize her lines,” friend Ally Specter (’13) said. “It’s her determination that brought her this far.”
Brady’s most nerve-wrecking moment at the regional was after intermission when she was called to recite her poem again. She had stepped outside for a moment to practice, and was accidentally locked out.
All competitors were judged on physical presence, voice and articulation, appropriateness of dramatization, level of difficulty, evidence of understanding of the poem, and accuracy.
“Each contestant had a different approach to poetry,” Brady said. “I approached it as an actress.”
Brady plans to participate in the Poetry Out Loud contest again next year.
