Mia Pierson of Roland-Story High School won the 2009 Poetry Out Loud in Iowa contest Monday at the State Historical Building, edging out 16 other competitors from across the state.

Pierson recited “The Glove and the Lions” by Leigh Hunt, “Hush” by David St. John and “Under the Vulture-Tree” by David Bottoms to earn the victory. Her victory marks the second state championship in a row for Roland-Story. Emily Mortvedt won the state championship last year.

Pierson, a 16-year-old sophomore, receives $200, a $500 check for her school and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC, to compete against state winners from across the country in the Poetry Out Loud National Finals April 27-28, 2009, at George Washington University. The National Finals will award $50,000 in college scholarships and school prizes.

“This is something I took as my responsibility, to show what poetry is supposed to be like,” Pierson said. “For Roland-Story to win the state championship two years in a row is exciting and I hope it’s an inspiration for others in my school to participate next year.”

Poetry Out Loud, a nationwide program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, began in 2005 and helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about their literary heritage. This year, more than 200,000 students from across the nation competed at the classroom and school levels.

Poetry Out Loud seeks to foster the next generation of literary readers by capitalizing on the latest trends in poetry – recitation and performance. The program builds on the resurgence of poetry as an oral art form as seen in the slam poetry movement and the immense popularity of rap music among youth.

“We are proud to facilitate and coordinate the Poetry Out Loud contest in Iowa,” said Cyndi Pederson, director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. “Poetry Out Loud gives students the opportunity to master skills that will last a lifetime.”