Making Poetry — and Friends — at the Bergan Poetry Festival

Senior Michelle A. and junior Trinity P., both of whom defended their previous titles, and guest poet Jennifer Chang, who shared her love and talent for the genre, highlighted the Paul K. Bergan Poetry Festival last weekend.

"I want you to know how much I have enjoyed sharing this celebration of poetry — which is another way of making new friends — with you,” said Chang Saturday, after giving a reading, conducting a workshop, and judging the Competitive Readings. “If I'd had something like this when I was in high school, I would have been over the moon.”
Trinity won her second straight Poetry Slam Friday night and then collected a surprise victory in Saturday's Competitive Readings. An alternate among 11th grade finalists, she stepped up after another student withdrew and gave a dynamic reading of Nikki Giovanni's poem "Ego Tripping" to win that title, too.

Michelle A., who finished a close second to Trinity in the Slam, read “The Lost Land” by Eavan Boland to win her division of the Competitive Readings for the second year in a row. Sophomore Grace C. and freshman Mimi S. also earned laurels — literally — for winning their divisions with poems by James Shirley and Kate Bass, respectively.
 
A tradition that dates back to Foxcroft’s earliest days, the Competitive Readings feature three finalists from each level of English who have been chosen by their peers and certified by faculty judges in two previous rounds of competition. In the final, each reads a poem of her choice and the best one, based on poem selection and delivery, is awarded a book and a crown of laurels.

Saturday’s readings were quite good and, before announcing the winners, Chang noted what a difficult task she faced. "I am so impressed with all of you," she said. 

This year, for the first time, student staff members of Foxcroft’s literary magazine, Chimera, emceed the festival’s events. Kicking off the weekend Friday evening, Editor Carolina W. ’17 introduced the Open Mic performers, who sang, read, played, and even did a little stand-up comedy before the Slam, which was emceed by Siobhan O. ’17. Six brave souls presented original works and, based on electronic voting by the audience, four advanced to the final round. When all was said and done, junior Elle R. placed third behind Trinity and Michelle.

Elle was also the winner of Chimera’s annual poetry competition, with her poem, “Last Will and Testament.” Sylvia Y. ’19 and L’Nya C. ’18 followed, placing second and third among an impressive 150 submissions.

To round out the festival, six faculty members shared original and favorite published works, and — in a display of Foxcroft’s multicultural community — students read poems in eight languages, ranging from Vietnamese and Hindi to French and Latin.
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An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.