(Wheeling, WV) The Linsly School celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the John Mitchell Birch Declamation Ceremony, an annual tradition in which every student in the school from grades 5-12 selects, memorizes and recites a poem in their respective English classes. The tradition coincides with the month of April, which is National Poetry month.
The Linsly English Department then showcases five student finalists from each grade during two separate events, one for Middle School and one for Upper School, who recite their poems for a public audience in the school’s library. This year, the school celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Declamation Ceremony during the Upper School Declamation ceremony on Thursday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m.
The John Mitchell Birch Declamation ceremony, which is named in honor of the former Linsly headmaster who served three terms during the late 1800s into the early 1900s, was first established in order to develop the cadets’ speaking and writing skills. Headmaster Birch created the Linsly Lecture Society as an outlet for debates, discussions, and declamations — such as the one to be held Thursday evening.
The Linsly School is proud to continue this tradition as part of the English Department’s celebration of National Poetry Month.
“Our celebration reflects the values of our English Department which maintains a commitment to accepting challenges, persisting in hard work, and valuing academic achievement,” explained Jessica Zatezalo, Academic Dean and English Department Chair at Linsly. “As Linsly English teachers, we take pride in watching our students bring poetry to life. They move beyond the static text, whether written by classic or living authors, and make the poems their own by interpreting and speaking them with genuine passion.”
Zatezalo commented on the fact that the Declamation contest is one of the traditions that makes Linsly’s curriculum unique.
“Every student citing a poem in the school is unique to this area, and Linsly’s tradition of Declamation allows students to improve their speaking skills while also helping some find a love for poetry they didn’t know they had.”
Last week, Linsly held the Middle School Declamation Ceremony for grades 5-8. The following students were recognized for their outstanding recitation of their poems: 5th and 6th grade category: 1st place: Justine Nebavi; 2nd place: Elias Hamilton; and 3rd place: Connor Blount. 7th and 8th grade category: 1st place: Harvey Goodman, 2nd place: Darcy Patt and 3rd place: Gianna White.
The Upper School Declamation Contest was held Thursday evening, April 23 at 7:30 PM in the Linsly library located in Banes Hall, which also happens to be the birthdate of one of the most famous poets in history – William Shakespeare.
The following Upper School Declamation winners were announced on Friday morning: In the 9th/10th grade category: 1st: Zack Kuttie; 2nd: Luchia Fato and 3rd: Eliott Wade. In the 11th/12th grade category: 1st: Nee Ashitay Boateng; 2nd: Sophie Toma; 3rd: Lili Blakely and Cameron Roberts.
The Linsly School is an independent coeducational day and boarding school for students in grades 5-12 located in Wheeling, WV. To learn more about The Linsly School, contact the admissions office at 304-233-1436 or email admit@linsly.org.
