All Ridgefield High language arts students recite Poetry Out Loud

Ridgefield — All Ridgefield High School language arts students took part earlier this school year in Poetry Out Loud, a national memorization-and-recitation contest. It was previously optional and led up to an event at the Old Liberty Theater; this year it was mandatory. Each student recited a poem for classmates. The highest scorers recited before a school assembly. Senior Kailie French took top honors with her delivery of “The Coming of the Plague” by Weldon Kees. Runners-up were Selah Royer, junior, and Preston Dewey, senior. French advanced to the Southwest Washington Regional competition, hosted by ESD 112; the ultimate winners, who will advance to the statewide competition in Tacoma on March 8, are Elizabeth Williamson of the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics and Carlos Lehrke of Stevenson High School.