An Evening Under the Stars Opens the 2021 Paul K. Bergan Poetry Festival
Our beloved Paul K. Bergan Poetry Festival has taken over Foxcroft's Campus again! And can we say, in the most beautiful way possible?! Kicking off the events Tuesday evening, April 6, 2021, students and faculty gathered on the Schoolhouse lawn to participate in a Poetry Slam, Recitation Competition, and the musical stylings of English teacher Steven McCarty throughout the evening.
Mr. McCarty opened the show with a song and his guitar. He then went on to introduce emcees Hays T. ’21 and Julia G. ’21. The annual Recitation Competition was the first event of the evening with freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors reciting pieces of poetry by legends such as Gil Scott-Heron and Dean Young.
As the crowd waited for the faculty judges to deliberate on the winners, Mr. McCarty serenaded the crowd with a few ballads and senior Susannah M. lived out her dream of singing "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac with Mr. McCarty, while the juniors sold delectable goodies.
After intermission, the winners were announced and received their laurels! 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 last round, each finalist reads a poem of her choice. The judges select the best ones (based on poem selection and delivery) to receive flowers, a gift, and a crown of laurels.
2021 Recitation Winners:- Freshmen: Safiyah M., “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” by Gil Scott-Heron
- Sophomores: Helen V., “Ithaka” by C.P. Cavafy
- Juniors: Georgia R., “Brother” by Mary Ann Hoberman
- Seniors: Bianca M., “Sean Penn Anti-Ode” by Dean Young
After the Recitation Competition, we moved on to the long-awaited Poetry Slam! Where students offered original works.
Avery H. ’23 delivered a moving poem called “Earth” telling the future generation that Earth is sorry. Jennifer C. ’21 performed the second part of a poem she performed last year. Johanna B. ’23 gave a commentary on our current times with her poem, "Social Distancing." Virginia B. ’22 joined us virtually and delivered two pieces very poetically. Betsy A. ’21 taught us about the Oxford comma — her “little companion.” And Julia G. ’21 performed two hilarious pieces, particularly her second piece about shoes — her “shoe application.”
As we waited to find out the final winners of the Slam, Mr. McCarty and four students — Gabby G. ’23, Julia G. ’21, Bianca M. ’21, and Teagan S. ’21 (all from West Virginia) — performed John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” After their performance, the winners were announced.
2021 Poetry Slam Winners
- 1st: Julia G. ’21
- 2nd: Betsy A. ’21
- 3rd: Virginia B. ’22
Congratulations to all of the evening’s winners! And a heartfelt thank you to the English Department for organizing the Festival: Steve McCarty, Lindsay O’Connor, PhD, Joanna Greenberg, and Rebecca Wise.
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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.
