Press release

Bishop, CA — For the second year in a row Shyann Padilla from Owens Valley High School in Independence, received the title of 2016 Inyo County Poetry Out Loud Champion at the county finals held in Bishop on February 3, 2016. The runner-up was Cianni Benson, also from Owens Valley High School.

Cianni Benson and Shyann Padilla.

Cianni Benson and Shyann Padilla.

This was the sixth year that Inyo Council for the Arts has collaborated with the Inyo County Superintendent of Schools office to offer the Poetry Out Loud program, which is sponsored by the California Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Retired English teacher, Harold McDonald, was the county coordinator in the schools.

At the county finals, Poetry Out Loud contestants recited works they selected from an anthology of more than 900 classic and contemporary poems. Poetry Out Loud gives students an opportunity to master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.

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From left, Heidy Gonzalez, Grace Morriset, Shandy Ratchford, Cianni Benson and Shyann Padilla.

Shyann’s readings of “Drowning in Wheat” by John Kinsella and “Domestic Situation” by Ernest Hilbert, wowed the guest judges, who evaluated student performances on criteria including presence, evidence of understanding, and accuracy.

Padilla moves on to compete in Sacramento at the end of this month representing Inyo County in the California State Championship.

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