Why Poetry?
“Poems are powerful because they move us not only to see but to experience the world with all of our humanity. Language is the natural plaything of the very young and children delight in the rhythms and possibilities of words as they grow to be more adept in the use of their mother tongue. Even after they learn to read and write it is important for the power of the spoken word, the power of poetry, to be cultivated and broadened. What children do naturally and haltingly must be guided into the stream of their common literary heritage. The child’s growing use of words and Housman’s remarks point to the same ultimate goal of language: a distinctively human affirmation of creation…” (click the button to read more from McCleary’s essay below)
In the spring each year, Avalon holds a poetry contest, the Poet Laureate Contest, for the lower and middle schools. Students are asked to memorize and recite a poem to a crowd of listeners. The student who delivers the best recitation becomes the year’s poet laureate.
Oh, somewhere in this favoured land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light;
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout,
But there is no joy in Mudville—mighty Casey has struck out.
from “Casey at the Bat” by Ernest Lawrence Thayer
Winners from Avalon’s Lower School Poet Laureate Contest
Avalon’s Middle School Poet Laureate Victors
The student who wins the contest is given a laurel to place on his head, an ancient custom which signifies excellence in poetry or writing.