Glenna Barnes and Iolani Sutton Crowned Champions of SRRHS Poetry Contest

Juniors Glenna Barnes and Iolani Sutton from Sedona Red Rock High School emerged victorious in the school’s 2025 Poetry Out Loud competition held on January 21. Participants have a chance to advance to the regional semifinals, scheduled for February 8 at Northern Arizona University. Fellow sophomore Salem Perches claimed the runner-up position.

Since its inception in 2005, Poetry Out Loud has seen over 4.4 million students and 81,000 teachers from 20,000 schools across the United States get involved, as reported on the program’s website. This initiative emphasizes the memorization and performance of poetry, guiding students through various levels from classroom to national competitions. Each participant must prepare three poems, which include a piece with fewer than 25 lines and another written prior to the 20th century.

Tom Swaninger, the Superintendent of the Sedona-Oak Creek School District, praised the contestants during the event. “It was impressive to see them put themselves out there,” he noted. “This format allowed the audience to catch a glimpse of their inner thoughts and emotions.” He added that the vulnerability exhibited by the students enhanced the overall experience.

Glenna Barnes attributed her successful return to the competition to her involvement in cheerleading. After overcoming stage fright that led her to drop out in her freshman year and battling illness the previous year, she found confidence in herself. “It’s nerve-wracking, for sure, but it’s really fun,” she shared.

“As I’ve progressed through school, my confidence has grown,” she continued. “Being part of cheerleading helped me face the audience, making this experience less daunting. I feel at home on stage.” Barnes chose to perform Kazim Ali’s “Rain” and plans to recite Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “The Arrow and the Song” as one of her next pieces, with her third selection still undecided.

“The central emotion of ‘Rain’ speaks to longing and an unchangeable self,” Barnes explained. “Even though we may yearn for transformation, we are ultimately who we are.”

Iolani Sutton, on the other hand, picked Dana Gioia’s “Pity the Beautiful” and Richard Blanco’s “Burning in the Rain.” “Pity the Beautiful” resonates with her, especially due to its reflections on relationships and societal expectations. “When I first read it, I was immediately drawn to its beauty and emotion,” Sutton said.

Outside of Poetry Out Loud, Sutton is active in the National Honor Society and the Interact Club. Her artistic inclinations lean toward visual art, including painting and pottery, where she appreciates the process of creating. “When I think of ‘Burning in the Rain,’ I envision gray butterflies representing ashes,” she said, while for “Pity the Beautiful,” she favors a pink color scheme to reflect its feminine tone.

Sutton emphasized the importance of stepping outside comfort zones through performance. “Many people stick to what they know,” she noted, encouraging openness toward poetry and the act of performing. “It’s about pushing boundaries and embracing new experiences.”