Samantha Isbell recites Johnson’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing” on stage in Frankfort.

Photo Courtesy of Kelli Bowland.

Payton Harris

Staff Writer

   After winning 1st place in the Lone Oak Poetry Out Loud competition and 3rd place at the regional competition at Maiden Ally Cinema, Samantha Isbell was invited to represent our school at the state wide competition at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Frankfort Kentucky on March 21, 2012.

    Isbell competed against students from 22 other high school students from all over Kentucky in front four hundred people. Additionally, the competition was streamed live by the Kentucky Arts Council which is how many Lone Oak teachers and students watched Isbell perform. “I was really nervous, reciting the poem in front of so many,” Samantha said.

    Isbell’s recitation of “Lift Every Voice and Sing”  by James Weldon Johnson earned her 2nd place. Isbell recalls her thoughts upon hearing her name called, “I was in shock. I definitely didn’t think I deserved the place I got compared to the other people that competed. It was rewarding to see my mother so happy when I was announced.” Kelli Bowland who attended with Isbell was also very excited, “I am so proud of Samantha for how far she went. She competed with the best in the state.”

    Samantha Isbell came home with a one hundred dollar cash prize and two hundred dollars worth of poetry books for the Lone Oak High School Library. It’s safe to say that Samantha represented our school in a very positive way. Congratulations, Samantha Isbell!

Isbell competed against students from 22 other high school students from all over Kentucky in front of four hundred people.