As jazz fills the auditorium, where each seat is soon filled, in the River of Grass. The National English Honor Society (NEHS) hosted its tenth annual recite night at Pembroke Pines Charter High School (PPCHS) which was soon about to begin, allowing students to recite published poems on stage with passion.
With a room filled with stars and dim lighting that evoked a starry night sky, students took this moment to celebrate the ancient art of poetry recitation. As the event soon began, it was clear that the students had outshone the twilight’s theme.
PPCHS junior, Justin Bonillo, a first-time watcher, says, “The way the reciters presented the poems made me really able to internalize the emotions of each poem recited and allowed me to really connect with the poet’s words.”
As each student recited, even though some made mistakes and might have struggled, their bravery and dedication showed each student’s diversity in acting, delivery, and passion. Each reciter showed the audience their journey and practice through each stanza shared.
Leah George, a PPCHS junior who recited “Before Painting” by James Weldon Johnson, said, “I wasn’t really nervous, yet I messed up a couple times. I don’t normally do things like this, but it was a new experience that really helped me grow.”
Along with the diverse poems, a PPCHS sophomore and first-time performer, Ana Guardo, who recited “Dreamers” by Siegfried Sassoon, was named a PPCHS runner-up for the top 10 finalists.
Guardo expresses her excitement and honor, stating, “I focused on slowing my pace, I feel like trying new things can lead to big things, and [I’m honored] knowing that if I continue to work on reciting poems, I can place higher next year.”
The event ended, with the aroma of milk and cookies filling the ROG Auditorium entrance hall. While celebrating not only the beginning of a holiday season, but also congratulating each presenter on the night sky stage.
With over 30 reciters at NEHS’ Recite Night, the tenth annual event left another memorable night for not only the individuals on stage but also the crowd, filled with ecstatic cheers and screams.
The top 10 finalists of the night were seniors Nikhil Karri, Faith Banossian, Robertsza Joseph, juniors Finn Phelps Crossman, Tahysse Conde-Bastien, Mikayla Hines, Derek Thompson, Martin Petkov, sophomore Ana Guardo as the top ten runner-up, and freshman Manuel Roz Cuadra and Tushara Varanasi. One of these top ten finalists will be selected as PPCHS Poetry Recitation Champion following round at the NEHS Poetry Slam next year on Jan.27.
