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Battle Ground Academy junior Kendall Grimes has made it to the finals of Poetry Out Loud, a national poetry recitation competition drawing students from across the country.
After making it through her school and state competitions, and then the 2021 national semifinals, the two-time Tennessee state champ will compete against eight others for the national title.
"My freshman year, I was also lucky enough to win the Tennessee state championship and represent Tennessee in the finals. So, I'm just glad to have the opportunity to do it again," Grimes said.
Students who compete in Poetry Out Loud choose material from a pre-selected anthology of over 1,100 poems, ranging from contemporary works to those dating back centuries. They then work with coaches who prepare them to be judged in several areas, including physical presence, voice and articulation, and overall performance.