‘Poetry Out Loud’ champion named

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A Wheaton high school senior has won the title of 2014 “Poetry Out Loud” Illinois state champion.

Monica Labelle is a student at Wheaton-Warrenville High School. Her recitation of “Ovation” by Carol Muske-Dukes, “Echo” by Christina Rossetti, and “Over and Under” by John Brehm won her the title from a field of over 7,000 students from across the state.

Labelle will advance to the national competition in Washington, D.C., in April.

She received a $200 award and her school received a $500 stipend for purchasing poetry books.

Annabelle Emuze, a junior from Southeast High School in Springfield was first runner-up. She received a $100 award with $200 going to her school.

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Online: https://www.poetryoutloud.org