Area high schools compete in poetry slam
RENSSELAER, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Capital Region high school students will compete for a cash prize at the second annual Capital Region Poetry Slam on Thursday night. Five local authors will judge the student's poetry and award the top prize of $500 to the first-place winner, $250 for the first runner-up, and $100 for third place.
The Doane Stuart School said the free and public event will start at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m. for an author signing. Local authors and poets will have signed books for grabs and Saratoga Springs Publishing's Vicki Aldesso Dodd will share information about publishing and writing.
Judges Panel
- David Yezzi, Yezzi is an acclaimed poet, a professor at John Hopkins, and a Doane Stuart School alum. His works have appeared in The New York Times Book Review, The Wall Street Journal, and Best American Poetry.
- James Preller, Preller is a well-known local author of children's books like Jigsaw Jones Mysteries, Bystander, Six Innings, and more.
- James O'Toole, O'Toole is a Doane Stuart School alum and acclaimed poet. He is also the co-founder of the Anne Bradstreet Poetry Contest.
- Tricia Steck, Steck is a SUNYA University in the High School English Professor and has been teaching for 25 years. For 22 of those years, she has spent her time educating at Rensselaer High School.
- Kevin Calacone, Calacone is principal of Schoharie Jr./Sr. High School and a published educational researcher. He is a graduate of The College of St. Rose, Russell Sage College, and Harvard University.
Competing Schools
- Emma Willard
- Doane Stuart School
- Glens Falls High School
- Averill Park High School
- Hudson Falls High School
- Gloversville High School
- Rensselaer High School
- Schalmont High School
- South Glens Falls Senior High
- Albany High School
- Cohoes High School
- Watervliet Jr. Sr. High