Sarah Koo Wins State Poetry Out Loud, Going to Nationals

On March 10, senior Sarah Koo won the state competition for “Poetry Out Loud” in Jefferson City, winning an all-expense paid trip to Washington DC from May 2-4 where she will compete in the National Competition and have a chance to win $20,000.

Koo has had quite the performance career in her lifetime. Not only has she performed in shows at the Muny, but she has also participated in shows for Stages St. Louis, Northeast Middle School, here at North, and even in a ZuZu pets commercial in 2009. She also participates in the Powder Room girls acapella group at North as well.

Koo said, “A play and a musical use wording that is a lot more straightforward. Whereas in poetry, the words that poets use to describe a situation or to paint a picture, are a lot more aesthetic focused. It really makes the audience wonder whenever the speaker performs it, and it makes them think a lot more than a play or musical would.”

To reach the National level of the competition, Koo had to first win the competition held at North. Then she moved on to the Regional Competition and finally to the State Competition in Jefferson City, where she performed her winning recitations “Sanctuary” by Jean Valentine, “Lines Written in Early Spring”by William Wordsworth, and “In Memoriam: Martin Luther King Junior” by June Jordan.

She said that her favorite was “In Memoriam: Martin Luther King Junior” by June Jordan because “it was the very first poem that I learned for this competition, and I also love how the poet creates an aggressive tone and addresses the key topic of racism and points to the audience of white people,” said Koo.

There are different reasons why Koo choose to be in the competition. One of them was because her sister’s teacher recommended it. Another one was for the possibility of a scholarship.

Koo said, “I originally went into the competition for scholarships, but after that it became more than just money. It became something bigger that I’m starting to love.”

Koo said that her role model for performing has changed throughout the years. In middle school, her hero was a man who had to play a woman’s role. But now, she describes her inspiration and motivator as her father.

“My role model suddenly became my dad. Because when I think about it, he’s been my mentor and my coach all through my theatre life. He’s given me tips, and no matter how strict he is, I know that he loves me and wants me to do the best I can. So, I make sure I live up to that whenever I go on stage”

At State, Koo had a chance to meet the competitors, and she said that everyone had different styles and techniques.

“We all had a fair chance at winning,” Koo said. “I honestly didn’t really expect [to win], but I knew that whoever [would’ve] won, I would be very happy for them because we honestly all deserve to be winners”

Koo plans to pursue a career in musical therapy after she graduates this May.

“The career combines with both music and science; both subjects which I am, at least, proficient in. Also, to connect it back to poetry, both subjects share a common concept of healing and inspiring people. That’s what I want to do with my life,” Koo said.

by Gabrielle Redfield, Writing Wizard, co-editor-in-chief