Lockerby student captures third place at first-ever Poetry Recitation Finals

Scott Griffin, founder of the annual Griffin Poetry Prize, congratulates Lockerby Composite School student Spencer Slaney who captured third place in the first-ever Poetry in Voice recitation finals held in Toronto on April 12, 2011. Also congratulating Spencer is proud teacher Gary McKinny who co-ordinated the in-school competition. Lockerby Composite School was the only English-language school in Northern Ontario to participate in this prestigious event.

A Grade 10 student at Lockerby Composite School captured third place in the first-ever Poetry In Voice/Les voix de la poésie recitation finals held at the Young Centre for Performing Arts in Toronto on April 12, 2011.

Spencer Slaney recited "Spleen" by Charles Baudelaire, "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll and "Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe. He received $500. Another $500 was awarded to Lockerby Composite School for the purchase of poetry books for the library.

Spencer Slaney won the privilege of representing Northern Ontario at the finals by capturing top honours at an in-school poetry competition held in March. Lockerby Composite School was the only English-language school in Northern Ontario to participate in this prestigious event. There were a total of 12 participants from across Ontario in this inaugural year.

“On behalf of Rainbow District School Board, I would like to congratulate Spencer Slaney for his outstanding achievement,” said Chair Tyler Campbell. “It is quite a privilege to capture a top honour at a first-ever provincial event. We are certainly very proud of Spencer for his impressive performance.”

At the event, esteemed Canadian author Margaret Atwood noted, "Poetry In Voice takes poetry back to its oral roots – its connection with the voice, with heard rhythm – while connecting with an ancient tradition that has recently been revived in several forms: Poetry as performance. Memorizing a poem is a way of knowing it inside out – in all five of its dimensions."

Soulpepper Theatre founding artistic director Albert Schultz hosted the evening, which opened with remarks in English and French by Scott and Krystyne Griffin, highlighting the bilingual aspect of the competition. In describing the importance of recitation, Scott Griffin commented: "Poems committed to memory inspire greater appreciation of this art form and public recitation promotes student confidence."

The judging panel included an impressive mix of Ontario and Quebec poets and actors: Karine Glorieux, novelist; Robert Lalonde, actor and Governor General’s Literary Award-winning writer; Diana Leblanc, Soulpepper Theatre founding artist; Dennis Lee, Governor’s General Literary Award-winning poet; Karen Solie, Griffin Poetry Prize-winning poet; and Élise Turcotte, Governor General’s Award-winning poet.

The competition will expand in 2012 to include all of Ontario and Quebec, and branch out to schools across the country in 2013.

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Media Contact:

Heather Gaffney, Principal, Lockerby Composite School,

Rainbow District School Board, 705-522-1750.