2016 Arizona Poetry Out Loud State Finals

Deja Brown
Sonoran Science Academy, Tucson
“Zacuanpapalotls” by Brenda Cardenas; “I Felt a Funeral, in My Brain” by Emily Dickinson; “El Olvido” by Judith Ortiz Cofer

Deja is a sophomore at the Sonoran Science Academy. She loves art, math, literature and sports. She is a Disney fanatic and loves her dogs.

Hunter Hazelton
Betty Fairfax High School, Laveen
“Blackberrying” by Sylvia Plath; “Ecology” by Jack Collom; “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson

At a young age, Hunter developed a keen attraction toward the art of writing. He has written and published poems, short stories, and is in the midst of a novel. He thanks his family, friends, teachers, and many supporters–as he could have not accomplished so much without them. He aspires to be an educator–perhaps a creative writing professor. He enjoys photography, working at Starbucks, unicycling and eating. His biggest inspirations are Sylvia Plath and Kurt Vonnegut.

Edel Healy
Xavier College Preparatory, Phoenix
“Candles” by Carl Dennis; “It Couldn’t Be Done” by Edgar Albert Guest; “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” by William Butler Yeats

Having grown up in Ireland, Edel developed a deep love for storytelling, poetry and poetry recitation. She has been reciting poetry both leisurely and competitively since the age of five. With the help and support of her english teacher Mrs. Donaldson and the English Department, Edel initiated a Poetry Out Loud program at her high school–now in its second year. Edel is honored to be this year’s representative for her Xavier. Go Gators!!!

Hannah Heiden
Kingman High School, Kingman
“Solitude” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox; “When I Have Fears That I May Cease To Be” by John Keats; “Blackberrying” by Sylvia Plath

Hannah is a sophomore from Kingman High School, and chose to do Poetry Out Loud because she believes that the arts are important and if we don’t speak up for what we believe is important, it will be taken away. She performs to be a voice for all those around her.

Caitlin McCormick
The Gregory School, Tucson
“Dear Reader” by Rita Mae Reese; “Novel” by Arthur Rimbaud; “Mingus at the Showplace” by William Matthews

Caitlin is a junior at The Gregory School, as well as a board member of the Women’s Foundation of Southern Arizona, a social activist and a poet. If she’s not in a meeting, she can frequently be found sipping iced lattes downtown.

Karina Morris
AAEC PV, Phoenix
“Advice to a Prophet” by Richard Wilbur; “Entirely” by Louis Macniece; “Happiness” by Jane Kenyon

Karina is a junior at AAEC and has been competing in Poetry Out Loud since she was a freshman. Reciting poetry has helped her to come out of her shell and has become her outlet for expressing herself. When she isn’t practicing her poems, she likes to read science fiction novels in the library, meditate at the park, or watch Netflix. Karina hopes that you enjoy her poetry recitations and hopes that her poems will connect with you on a personal level like they did with her.

Anisa Myers
American Leadership Academy, Queen Creek
“All This and More” by Mary Karr; “Hip-Hop Gazal” by Patricia Smith; “I Felt a Funeral in My Brain” by Emily Dickinson

Anisa is a spunky girl, standing at 4 ft 11in! She usually spends her days enveloped in school work or reading. When she isn’t reading, you can probably catch her practicing routines for her competitive ballroom team. She participates in a few sports, but poetry is one of her true loves! She sees poetry as a way to show her innermost feelings and is honored to represent her lovely school, American Leadership Academy!

Carly Smith
Coconino High School, Flagstaff
“Dear Reader” by Rita Mae Reese; “The Obligation to Be Happy” by Linda Pastan;
The Arrow and the Song by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Carly is a sophomore at Coconino High School. She has never participated in
Poetry Out Loud before, so she is excited to have the chance to compete at the state competition. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing and anything Photoshop-related. She does not know what she wants to do when she’s older, but has high hopes for the future.

Alexander Sublette
Nogales High School, Nogales
“Invictus” by William Ernest Henley; “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae; “I Hear America Singing” by Walt Whitman

Alexander is a senior in high school. He played varsity football and is the Commander of the AFJROTC unit. He is also in the Sportsmen’s Club and JSA. He likes hiking, camping and anything outdoors-related.

Sophie Weinzinger
Coconino High School, Flagstaff
“Candles” by Carl Dennis; “Dear Reader” by Rita Mae Reese; “When You Are Old” by William Butler Yeats

Sophie attends Coconino High school in Flagstaff, AZ. She enjoys acting, singing and painting and is active in her community’s theatre groups. Sophie hopes to major in vocal performance and business management.