Deerfield student among 16 in poetry championship

SPRINGFIELD -- Deerfield High School student Corey Shayman is among those participating in the state finals of the recitation contest "Poetry Out Loud." It will be held March 11 in Springfield.

The Illinois Arts Council will host 16 high school students -- winners of regional competitions -- in the championship.

The state champion will receive $200 and a trip to the Washington, D.C. national championship in April. The winner's school gets $500 for poetry books.

The finalists were chosen from 5,000 students from 57 Illinois high schools who competed in regional competitions.

Besides Shayman the contestants include:

— Sophia Magro, Champaign Central High School, Champaign

— Henry Martinez, Roberto Clemente Community Academy, Chicago

— Qaswa Hussaini, Stephen Tyng Mather High School, Chicago

— Amanda Wales, United Township High School, East Moline

— Ryan Harrison, Edwardsville High School, Edwardsville

— Bailey Cote, Edwardsville High School, Edwardsville

— Katie Butler, Herrin High School, Herrin

— Skylar Drummond, Herrin High School, Herrin

— Chris Grimestad, Mt. Zion High School, Mt. Zion

— Nathan Walter, Orion High School, Orion

— Rapheal Mathis, Plainfield East High School, Plainfield

— Joy Avery, Auburn Freshman Campus, Rockford

— Niambi Thompson, Roosevelt High School, Rockford

— Morgan Williams, Springfield High School, Springfield

—Kahlilah Cooke, University Laboratory High School, Urbana