Joe Wilson: “thousands of high school students across America are participating in Poetry Out Loud, a national competition which…”

“thousands of high school students across America are participating in Poetry Out Loud, a national competition which helps students master public speaking skills and learn about their literary heritage. On April 8, Elizabeth Stepp proudly represented Richland Northeast High School in the 2006 National Endowment for the Arts South Carolina Poetry Out Loud State Competition. After performing poetry before Poet Laureate Marjory Wentworth and Kwame Dawes, founder of the South Carolina Poetry Initiative, Elizabeth was awarded the South Carolina State Championship. Tonight Elizabeth will represent South Carolina in the Poetry Out Loud National Finals held at the Lincoln Theater in Washington. As she prepares for this exciting event, I would like to recognize her tremendous accomplishment and wish her best wishes for continued success. In conclusion, God bless the memory of Congressman Sonny Montgomery, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11. ____________________”