"We like

to think of this event not as a competition but rather as a festival.

All students participating at the county level receive a ribbon based

on their performance," said Cheryl Hilderbrand, reading coordinator

for Fayette County schools.

Reciters receive

one of five possible ribbons: blue, magnificent; purple, exceptional;

green, excellent; yellow, accomplished; and red, notable.

Hilderbrand

says there are several benefits to having students participate in recitation

events. Students have an opportunity to practice their oral presentation

skills and hone their memorization skills. Plus, reciting poetry in front

of others helps to build self-esteem and confidence.

"It is

a great confidence-building exercise even if they don't win. This experience

is invaluable because it is real. They just don't study how to give top-notch

presentations, they actually get to put what they learn into practice,"

said Hilderbrand.

Fayette's students

who will participate in the district RESA festival, along with the poetry

they will recite, are listed below.

Elementary

School: Claire Houghtaling of Peeples, kindergarten, "Hiding by";

Anna Harrell of Oak Grove, first grade, "A Snake Named Rover";

Hannah Chambless of Kedron, second grade, "Adventures of Isabel";

Sarah Beth Beatty of Peeples, third grade, "Jack and the Beanstalk";

Damien Haas of Oak Grove, fourth grade, "The Bells"; and Marlene

Davis of Braelinn, fifth grade, "The Mayfly."

Middle school:

Hannah Lee of Booth, sixth grade, "Hansel and Gretel"; Matt

Noller of Rising Starr, seventh grade, "The Highwayman"; and

Bethany Conrad of Whitewater, eighth grade, "Annabel Lee."

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