Hershey High School sophomore Jordan Lewis made it to the semifinals before being eliminated at the 2019 Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest held at George Washington University on Tuesday, April 30, 2019.

Out of the 18 semifinalists in the first region of the semifinals, Lewis was able to make it to the top eight. Since she was one of the eight chosen performers, she was given the opportunity to recite her third prepared poem. Despite her moving efforts, she was not one of the three individuals in her region that were able to advance to the finals that were held on May 1.

“I wouldn’t change a single thing about my performance,” said Lewis, “It was the best time I recited, so I’m happy.”

She received a plaque for representing the state of Pennsylvania in this poetry recitation competition on the national level. For Lewis to be eligible to compete on the national level, she had to win against those in her school, region, and state.

During the contest, Lewis recited three poems. The first poem she performed was “I Sit and Sew” by Alice Moore Dunbar-Nelson. Immediately afterward, she recited the poem “Revenge” by Letitia Elizabeth London. After the announcement of Lewis being one of the top eight semifinalists, she recited “Art vs. Trade” by James Weldon Johnson. The scores she received on her recitations have not yet been released.

For her three poems, she had to choose one from before the year 1800. Additionally, another piece she chose has to consist of less than 25 lines.

Poetry Out Loud has been a national competition since 2005, and one student from each of the 50 states, Washington, DC, the US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico compete in the nationally every year.