Senior Arlyn Barlaan is just three weeks away from top competition at the State Poetry Out Loud competition on  March 9, in Tallahassee.

Barlaan has chosen as her third poem “Sun Rising” by metaphysicial poet John Donne.  Barlaan had a hard time selecting a poem for the category of pre-twentieth century. “I wanted to present a poem that was complex but not depressing  I think my selection will best fit my delivery style.”

Barlaan placed first at AHN school wide final competitions with junior Emily Rodriguez placing at second,  sophomore Ashlyn Bradshaw at third, and Kelsea Henry at fourth.

Barlaan will add the Donne poem to the following two presented at AHN for final competition:

• “Truth”      by Gwendolyn Brooks  
• “Numbers” by Mary Cornish

State Finals will be held  in the Heritage Hall Auditorium at the R.A. Gray Building in Tallahassee. Winners at this level will advance to the National Finals, which will be held in Washington, DC, on April 28-30.  Runners-up will receive  a total of $50,000 in awards, and school stipends will be given out to the finalists. The winner will receive $20,000 in college scholarship funds and national media recognition.