SHS senior wins state Poetry Out Loud contest

Lauren Haiar was named champion of the 2019 Wyoming Poetry Out Loud Contest, winning for the third consecutive year. The state contest was held March 4 and 5 in Cheyenne.

Haiar, a senior at Sundance High School, will compete in the National Poetry Out Loud contest April 30 - May 1 in Washington, D.C. Haiar received $200 and an all-expense paid trip to the national contest. Sundance High School also received a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry materials.

"Being able to represent not only Sundance, but the entire state of Wyoming, is a great honor that I am proud to have," Haiar said. "Interacting with other students from across the country and sharing how poetry has found itself in our lives is a really special thing to share."

Nine students from schools across Wyoming competed in the state Poetry Out Loud contest, which is hosted by the Wyoming Arts Council. Each contestant recited three poems of their choice. Haiar advanced to the state competition after winning the Sundance High School Poetry Out Loud contest in February.

Since its national implementation in 2005, Poetry Out Loud has encouraged students to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. Students also master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about literary history and contemporary life.

"Even after doing this for my entire high school career, I still find myself surprised and intrigued by the new tools that poetry has provided for me," Haiar said. "As a freshman, I never would have expected having the opportunity to compete in our nation's capital three years in a row."

During the 2018 National Poetry Out Loud contest, Haiar also earned first place in the written category of Poetry Ourselves with her original poem, "A Creation Story."

Haiar will attend the University of Wyoming in the fall to study laboratory medical technology.