The Great Hearts Bard, the annual poetry recitation competition among our third, fourth, and fifth grade scholars will take place in the Marley Performing Arts Center at Maryvale Prep [1] on Friday, April 11th, 2025, at 6:30 PM (MST). Those who are unable to attend in person can cheer on their favorite orator while watching the livestream on YouTube.
https://youtube.com/live/mIo0_vEXgMI [2]
A cornerstone of a Great Hearts elementary school education is the exposure to the appreciation and recitation of classical poetry. Poetry will be taking the spotlight again at this year’s event, where finalists from each of our Arizona Archway academies compete for the title of the 2025 Bard. These young scholars have already claimed victory during the first round at their academies and are anticipating competing against one other with their own poetry recitation they have perfected over the last several months.
The finalists competing in the regional event include:
- Dariana Lopez from Maryvale Prep [1] reciting “Nobility” by Alice Cary
- Emma Schmitt from Archway Anthem [3] reciting “The Naughty Doll” by Eugene Field
- Cora Long from Archway Cicero [4] reciting “Matilda Who Told Lies, and Was Burned to Death” by Hilaire Beloc
- River Taber from Archway Trivium [5] reciting “How the Great Guest Came” by Edwin Markham
- Cora Patient from Archway Roosevelt [6] reciting “Dirge” by James Shirley
- Aurelius Machado from Archway Arete [7] reciting “The Chimney Sweeper” by William Blake
- Lillie Tenison from Archway Scottsdale [8] reciting “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe
- Tucker French from Archway Veritas [9] reciting “One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night” by an unknown author
- Nora Neihart from Archway North Phoenix [10] reciting “Forgiven” by A.A. Milne
- Lia McArthur from Archway Chandler [11]
- Molly Corkum from Archway Lincoln [12] reciting “Excelsior” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
- Benson Gillespie from Archway Glendale [13] reciting “The Duel” by Eugene Field
Finalists will recite from memory a poem or excerpt and will be scored by a panel of judges. Each year, the judges are provided a standardized evaluation rubric to help them identify the students who present commanding and engaging performances which do not overshadow the content of the poem. It’s a tricky balance for the judges to strike and the close final scores have reflected that challenge. Scores are given for physical presence, voice and articulation, dramatic appropriateness, evidence of understanding, and overall performance. Accuracy is also a component.
By the end of the night, one of these finalists will be announced as the 2025 Bard winner, taking over from the reigning champion Elinor Patient, the impressive 2024 Bard winner from Archway Roosevelt [6]. Join us as we celebrate Truth, Goodness, and Beauty through poetry.
Do you have a story or know of one that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org [14].
Submit a student application to a Great Hearts Academy by visiting: https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/ [15].