Poetry Out Loud
Poetry Out Loud 21-22 South Central
Regional Competition Results
Champion
Grace Casey
Freeburg Community High School
Senior
Runner-Up
Veda Kommineni
Edwardsville High School
Freshman
Sponsors:
Joshua Davis-Ruperto, Executive Director, Illinois Arts Council Agency
Susan Dickson, Director of Arts-in-Education, Literature, Ethnic and
Folk Arts Programs
Board of Trustees:
Chair Nick Raftopoulos, Granite City; Vice Chair Steve Campo, Belleville;
John S. Blomenkamp, Freeburg; Charles Hannon, Swansea;
Robert G. Morton, O’Fallon; Richard E. Roehrkasse, Red Bud;
Sara Soehlke, Collinsville; Student Trustee Mya Gill, Granite City
President:
Nick J. Mance
Foundation Board:
Board Chair Norma L. Bellcoff
Board Vice Chair Mary Buettner
Finance Chair Matthew Gomric
Finance Vice Chair Samuel Hanger
Barbara Cempura
Jeanne Dalman
Stan Hatfield
Sue Hoffmann
Bob Novack
Christopher C. Schroeder
Ex-Officio Members:
Chair Nick Raftopoulos – Chair, College Board of Trustees
Nick Mance – College President
Bernie Ysursa – College Chief Administrative Service Officer
Margot Middleton Holt – Foundation Treasurer
Jamie Wheeler – Foundation Board Secretary and Accountant
Rena Thoele – Foundation Executive Director
“A poem begins in delight and ends in wisdom…Like a piece of ice on a hot stove, the poem must ride on its own melting.”
– Robert Frost
Contest Judges and Staff:
Lynne Sschwartzhoff, Recitation Judge
Ami Lilley-Plexico, Recitation Judge
Emily Kelly-Padden, Recitation Judge
Tracey Hayes, Accuracy Judge
Amy Brockman, Contest Coordinator & Scorekeeper
Announcement of Finalists:
The champion and runner-up from the South Central Illinois Regional Contest will join two finalists from each of the other seven Illinois regional contests at the virtual Poetry Out Loud state competition in March.
We acknowledge all the classroom teachers who initiated this program in their classes and motivated their students to participate. We extend a special thank you to the teachers who coordinated the school contests.