Arlington Student Wins National Poetry Contest

Washington, D.C., April 30th – Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, issued the following statement congratulating Arlington resident and Washington-Lee High School student William Farley on winning the Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest, a poetry education program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation.

“William made his state and hometown very proud yesterday. He’s an example for his peers and an inspiration to us all.  William’s deep appreciation for the written word and masterful elocution are remarkable, befitting someone nearly twice his age. His success is a testament to a powerful personal drive, the training he’s received in Arlington’s public classrooms, and supportive, loving parents. I wish him well in all his future endeavors.” 

Farley, the Virginia state champion, competed Wednesday in the national competition against 53 other state champions from around the country.  His winning recitation was “Danse Russe” by William Carlos Williams, the story of a middle aged man’s fancies and foibles.

The competition involved more than 1,500 high schools and 300,000 students. The contest’s celebrity judges included Garrison Keillor, host of the radio show “Prairie Home Companion, singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant, and actress Tyne Daly.

Attached is a photo of the Congressman and William at Tuesday’s Poetry Out Loud event on Capitol Hill.

--30--