Crossroads College Preparatory School Articles

Chess News/ Chess Trivia Night

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:30:46 GMT

Trivia Night is February 11
Trivia Night is less than two weeks away! Chess families can help in several ways: 1) help us run our event with setup or breakdown, by serving beverages, acting as a scorekeeper, or working at the silent auction table; 2) bring a table of friends and play in the event; or 3) help us secure auction items or advertisers. Please contact howard@crossroadscollegeprep.org for further details. You will receive an email with final information in a few days.

Trophy Bonanza at Lindbergh
Many Crossroads College Prep players finished near the top of their respective groups at the Gateway Team Tournament held January 28th at Lindbergh High School. Although the team finished just out of trophy contention by tiebreaks, there were many fine efforts. Reid Doctor took 1st place in the 8th grade section with 3.5/4 points. Matthew Larson took 2nd place on board 2 in the high school section, and Armand Gauda, August Gremaud, Ben Williams, and Curtis Mitchell each placed 3rd on their respective boards. Noah Dromgoole, Andrew Kowalkowski, and Homer Dula earned medals. The rest of the team, which included Benton Birch, Nick Kiehl, Flannery Allison, and Paul Watkins, also contributed. Way to go, team!

Upcoming Saturday Tournaments
All tournaments indicated below are $12 and require current USCF membership (available on-site or in advance through http://www.uschess.org/.) Please note that USCF dues have gone up by $2.

February 25--Chaminade
March 10—Jefferson City, MO State Championships
April 12-16—National Scholastic Championships, Minneapolis, MN

Important: players must compete in three tournaments plus the Missouri State Championships to travel with the team to Minneapolis. Weekday matches count as 1/3 of a tournament.

Middle School Chess Continues
The Gateway Junior League continues each Thursday afternoon at Wydown Middle School. We will depart school at 4:00 p.m. There is no cost to play. Parent drivers kindly requested.

High School (Varsity) League Continues
Matches are home or away on Wednesdays. Play begins at 4 pm or earlier (if possible).

FEBRUARY 1 @ John Burroughs
FEBRUARY 8 Conference semifinals
FEBRUARY 15 Conference championships (if necessary)
FEBRUARY 22 League championships (if necessary)

Previous rounds:
Crossroads 26 Vianney(B) 4
Crossroads 23 Belleville West 7
Crossroads 30 Alton 0
Crossroads 30 Affton 0
Crossroads 30 St. Louis Univ. High 0
Crossroads 18 St. Louis Metro 12

Poetry Out Loud

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:54:07 GMT

Whichever hallway you traversed during these past two weeks, you probably heard verse being recited eagerly as the students paced and prepared for the annual Poetry Out Loud competition. Competitions within each grade this week determined a grade level winner to compete in the all school competition occurring on Friday, January 20. At that time, one student will be chosen to represent our school in the regional competition, which will occur in February. What is remarkable once again this year, as in every year in which we have participated in Poetry Our Loud, is how supportive students are of their classmates as they recite despite the fact that this is a competition. We have been as impressed with their skills as oral performers as we have with their skills as caring citizens. Thank you, parents, for supporting your children as they prepared for this challenging event.

Finalists
7th grade - Maggie Fox, Faith Blank, M.J. Daher (winner)
8th grade - Tova Cohen, Nicholas Drake, Reid Doctor (winner)
9th grade - Matthew Larson, Eleanor Marsh, Eliana Zuckerman (winner)
10th grade - Devi Acharya, Harry O'Gorman, Essence Lee (winner)
11th grade - Will Dula, Will Matus, Noah Dromgoole (winner)
12th grade - Mia Watkins, Maddy Beatrice, Terry Watkins (winner)

Book Fair at Left Bank Books a Success!

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:52:49 GMT

I am pleased to announce that the three-day book fair raised over $1,300 for the library, thanks to the support of the Crossroads community. All 83 of the books on the library’s wish list will be added to the collection. The subjects range from web design to the history of jazz to biology. I will be cataloging the books gradually and displaying them in the library; please stop by to browse or to check out a book.

Special thanks to those who volunteered during the fair: Liz Harry, Jan Good, Marcia McCabe, Ann Thurmond-Wise, Laura Chappell, Lois Sechrist, Cindy Finkenkeller, Jennifer Shylanski, Ann Garrido, Elaine Moss, Ingrid Taylor, Karin McElwain-West, Steve Call, Teresa Sweeney, Kristi-Page Purley, and Lucille Harris. Student musicians Micah Garrido and Eli Bryant enlivened the mood on Saturday afternoon with their voices, guitar, and ukulele. Heather Lake was a great help with publicity and planning, as well as Elaine Moss. Elaine Todorov made an eye-catching sign for the bookstore window. Thank you, everyone!

Sharon Elliott
Librarian

Girls' Fall Sports Roundup-Outstanding

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:47:45 GMT

The Fall season this year has proven to be the finest in school history. Each of our 3 Fall Sports won of a championship. Congratulations to all of our student/athletes, coaches, and especially seniors.

The Girls’ Volleyball team went 10-0 in the SCAA, seizing their first ever conference championship. The team set the school team record for wins in a season finishing with a record of 20-7. Senior Nell Briggs was named Player of the Year in the SCAA while senior Dominique Brenston and sophomore Claudia Testa were named to the 1st Team All-SCAA. Senior Lindsey Emery was named to the 2nd Team. Briggs was also a unanimous choice for All-District in the State playoffs.

The Girls’ Tennis team captured their second consecutive District Championship with a convincing victory over Lutheran North. Junior Hana Mueller and senior Alana Slavin set the pace playing great singles all season. Sophomores Sara Such and Ellie Turner played extremely tough at #3 and #4 singles respectively, while seniors Flannery Allison and Blair Daniel were solid in doubles. This year’s team had a nice blend of experience and youth. The future looks bright for this already thriving program.

Cecilia and Ivan Boyers, an Alaskan Native Village, and the Caribbean West Indies

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:39:36 GMT

Last summer Cecilia '14 and Ivan Boyers '16 spent their summer vacations in Alaska and the Caribbean, respectively. The two teens were participants of VISIONS Service Adventures, an international service learning program.

Cecilia was one of 25 high school students who did community service projects while living in Tetlin Village, an indigenous Athabasca community. The teens renovated a playground and rebuilt an outdoor wooden basketball court. They also constructed a shade pavilion with roof and decking along the river for village elders, and organized a week-long summer camp for the children. The students milled some of the lumber used for construction projects.

The trip wasn’t all work for the youth volunteers. While in Alaska, participants learned firsthand about Athabasca culture through visits with families and elders, working side by side with community members, and also while attending traditional “Culture Camp”. The group backpacked and ice-climbed in the Wrangell-St. Elias Wilderness, viewed all sorts of wildlife, and toured an old mining town.

Ivan traveled as part of a group of middle school students to Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. The middle schoolers lived in a community center on a hill overlooking the Caribbean Sea. They built a school playground and public shade pavilion, dog houses for the Humane Society, helped give swimming lessons to young children, and vaccinated goats with the Department of Agriculture.

In Virgin Gorda, participants immersed in island culture during weekly dinners and in daily visits with locals. On weekends they explored “The Baths”, huge granite boulders that lie in piles on the beach, forming grottoes that open to the sea; they also hiked, snorkeled, explored the numerous beaches, and sailed to a neighboring island.

“Service is a powerful bridge to friendship and learning,” says Katherine Dayton, VISIONS Executive Director. “We give students tangible ways to be of use and to discover their own potential in the process. They live for awhile in a very different world from what they typically know, engaging in activities that build confidence and offer first-hand knowledge. Over the course of a month, they come to know the people whose lives they are impacting.”

VISIONS operates over a dozen high school and middle school programs in North, Central, and South America, the Caribbean West Indies, Southeast Asia, and Ghana. “Our program locations differ dramatically,” said Dayton, “but each offers cultural immersion, ambitious community service, and opportunities to explore places with local people in ways that are usually way off the tourist track.”

Congratulations to the Soccer Current on a great season!

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:25:04 GMT

St. Pius X beat Crossroads 1-0 on Saturday to advance to the State Semifinals. Congratulations to Coach Ben Peet and all the boys for a thrilling season.

Crossroads beats Burroughs 1-0. Wins 1A Sectional Championship

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:29:28 GMT

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch-

Crossroads continued its improbable run through the postseason on Wednesday.

A crazy goal and a Herculean effort between the pipes gave Crossroads a stunning 1-0 victory over John Burroughs in a Class 1 boys soccer sectional.

The Current, who won their first district title last week, improved to 12-6 and will play in the quarterfinals on Saturday against St. Pius X.

The Bombers, No. 4 in the stlhighschoolsports.com small school poll, end their season at 15-9.

"They're resilient," first-year Crossroads coach Ben Peet said of his team. "We make the most of what we have."

Andre Witherspoon booted the game's only goal 40 seconds into the second half from nearly 40-yards away through a strong wind. The goal stood up, thanks in large part to a fantastic effort from keeper Brendan Wood. The senior goalie made 17 saves on the day, several coming on aggressive dives and athletic leaps.

"Last night I was really determined to go out and have a big game," Wood said. "I saved that attitude for today. This is fantastic."

The Bombers pelted Wood with shots all afternoon.

"We created more than enough chances," Burroughs coach Alan Trzecki said. "We had two or three games worth of chances."

But the 6-foot Wood never crumbled under the attack.

"My adrenaline was pumping," he said. "There were times that I scared myself when I came out halfway, but I can't stop now. I gave it everything I had, and it worked out well."

Burroughs dictated possession for nearly the entire first half. Forward Stephen McMillian directed a Bombers attack that was stymied repeatedly by Wood and a defense that swept in and cleared balls from the box.

The Current had few meaningful shots on goal on the afternoon.

"We have not been a team that's dominated possession all season," Peet said. "Our strength is to go long and then attack."

The game's lone score was doozy. Soon after the whistle blew to start the second half, Burroughs, no surprise, gained possession. But suddenly the ball got to the foot of the 6-1 Witherspoon, who let it rip. The ball had enough carry to sail over the head of keeper Alex Spencer.

"Our keeper may have been playing a little high, but we had possession and then there was a quick turnover," Trzecki said. "Their shot came from such a distance. But the wind held it up and it came down over the top."

The game originally was scheduled for Tuesday at Midwest Soccer Academy. Tuesday's rain caused the postponement to Wednesday, and the wet grounds forced a move to the artificial turf at Burroughs.

"When we found out that it was going to be here on the turf, I was a little apprehensive," Wood said. "Our coaches thought we would have an advantage on a wet and muddy field."

Alisa Berg received the UMSL College of Fine Arts and Communication Dean's Award for Creative Achievement in the Arts

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:01:52 GMT

Alisa Berg received the UMSL College of Fine Arts and Communication Dean's Award for Creative Achievement in the Arts, presented at an awards luncheon at the Touhill Performing Arts Center on October 6, 2011. Alisa was among a select group of high school seniors from across the state who were recognized at this event. Aisa is pictured with Art teacher Angela Hunter Knight. Congratulations, Alisa!

District Soccer Champs!

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:58:05 GMT

Congratulations to the Boys’ Soccer team for a well-earned 2-1 victory over Lutheran North in the District Championship game. The boys played great and the parents were giddy! We will now put a BOYS’ BANNER ON OUR WALL!!! Sectional Playoff game against John Burroughs on Tuesday November 8^th at 2PM at Midwest Soccer Academy

Mia Watkins Receives Certificate of Recognition from the Commonwealth Honors Academy

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:03:01 GMT

Senior Mia Watkins from Crossroads College Preparatory School is shown above receiving the Certificate of Recognition from the Commonwealth Honors Academy at a reunion of Academy scholars held at Murray State University on September 17th. Pictured with Mia is Dr. Warren Edminster, Academic Dean of the Academy, and Dr. Don Robertson, Vice President for Student Affairs of Murray State.

Mia and 93 other students completed the three-week Academy at Murray State between June 3 and June 25, 2011. During the three weeks, Academy scholars took two college-level courses, attended multiple lectures, concerts, field trips, and forums, and participated in a tri-weekly personal development seminar. To qualify, students must have a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale and an ACT score of 25 (or equivalent SAT, PSAT, or PLAN scores). As a successful graduate of the Academy, Mia will receive six hours of university credit, a $2,000 per year Murray State housing scholarship, and the option to take six additional hours from Murray State tuition-free.

Mia was also honored to be the keynote speaker for the October graduating class at the St. Patrick Center held on Friday, October 28, 2011. Way to go Mia! St. Patrick Center provides opportunities for self-sufficiency and dignity to persons who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Individuals achieve permanent, positive changes in their lives through affordable housing, sound mental health, employment and financial stability.

National Merit Semifinalists and AP Scholars

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:54:02 GMT

National Merit Semifinalists
Congratulations to Alisa Berg and Nell Briggs, both Class of 2012, for being selected as the National Merit Semifinalists for Crossroads College Prep. Both students advance to the finalist round. National Merit Finalists will be announced in early February.

AP Scholars
Our AP Scholars for 2011 include 15 seniors and 1 junior.
Congratulations to the following scholars:

AP SCHOLAR 3 or more exams, score of 3 or higher:
Alicia Brown
Jordan Bobbitt
Heidi Griswold
Claire Holohan
Johanna Lowell
Alisa Berg

AP SCHOLAR WITH HONOR: 4 or more exams, score of 3 or higher, average of 3.25:
Nelson Corliss
Robert Don
Jay Gill
Abie Kanyuck
Anna Karpinski
Josh Obertino Norwood

AP SCHOLAR WITH DISTINCTION: 5 or more exams, score of 3 or higher, average of 3.5:
Caoilinn Goss
Elaine Maskus
Caitlin McCollum
Rachel Shilcrat

Two Crossroads Students Chosen for Fox Foundation Performance

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 01:10:42 GMT

Senior Terry Watkins and Junior Micah Garrido were chosen to be two of only four St. Louis student performers in the Fox Foundation's Kids Night on Broadway, a 15 minute musical about how a show is created, prior to "The Addam's Family on September 29th. The Fox is offering a buy one get one free deal for the Broadway tour of "The Addam's Family" on September 29th.

http://www.foxpacf.org/kids-night-on-broadway.aspx

Crossroads College Prep Head Clark Daggett featured in the West End Word

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:17:52 GMT

New Head Of School At Crossroads

Clark Daggett's main goal is to foster an educational environment that helps students find their passions and strengths

Senior Nell Briggs features in Town and Style

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 16:06:20 GMT

http://www.townandstyle.net/sept14/files/10.html

What Did Students Do This Summer?

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 20:01:08 GMT

Josh Shaw, Royce Purley, Josh Felsher, and Jeremy Holley, all Class of 2014, participated in the UMSL Bridge Program Summer Academy. This program works to enhance writing skills, promote effective communication, aid with college-career exploration, and prepare for college entrance exams. The program was Monday through Friday for four weeks.

Royce Purley '14, Paul Watkins '13, and Aliyah Wilson '14, were chosen along with 22 others to participate in the Accounting Career Awareness Program week long program at Harris Stowe University. The students were chosen through an application and interview process and had to have a 3.0 grade point average or higher. The program provided information in business and accounting to prepare students for college now. Participation in this program helped Royce, Paul, and Aliyah earn a lifetime membership to this organization with mentors and later they may become mentors for others.

Noah Dromgoole and Paul Watkins, both Class of 2013, participated in the Missouri Scholars Academy. The Missouri Scholars Academy is a three-week academic program for Missouri's gifted students who are ready to begin their junior year in high school. The academy is a residential program held on, and partially funded by, the campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Chip Bloch '13 was involved in a Stage Manager internship at Union Avenue Opera. Union Avenue Opera offers professional opportunities for gifted, emerging artists.

Gold Gladney '12 was part of the Career Explorers Program. Career Explorers Program is a colaboration between Walgreens and the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. This porgram is designed to increase exposure to a pharmacy career.

Mia Watkins '12 was engaged in the Murray State Commonwealth Honors Academy. CHA is a three week academic, personal, and social development program for outstanding high school students in the summer after their junior year.

Lacee Dupart and Danielle Mayes, both Class of 2013, were involved in the Audrey Walton Youth Leadership. The Audrey Walton Youth Leadership Program provides opportunities for Missouri youth (high school juniors & seniors) to gain skills that will assist them in becoming leaders in their communities and schools.

Henry Chappell '12 particpated in the Young Scientist Program. YSP is designed to attract high school students into scientific careers through activities emphasizing hands-on research and individualized contact between young people and active scientists.

Faith Reid and Nell Briggs, both Class of 2012, spent the summer in the Students and Teachers As Research Scientists program (STARS). They spent several weeks conducting intensive research with St. Louis area professionals and professors.

Devi Acharya '14 was involved in Operaciou Ingles located in
Colegio San José in Villafranca de los Barros, Badajoz (Southwest Spain). This is a summer camp, founded in 2003, based on the exchange of language and culture for both students of Spanish and students of English aged between 12 and 17.

Nick Henke '13 spent his summer studying at the the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. RADA is a drama school located in London and is regarded as one of the most renowned drama schools in the world.

Welcome to the 2011-12 academic year at Crossroads College Preparatory School!

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:49:25 GMT

Dear Parents and Friends,

Welcome to the 2011-12 academic year at Crossroads College Preparatory School! This is an exciting time as faculty and students begin their important work together. It’s also a great time to take a few minutes to think about all of the academic progress students will make between now and June—for many it will be quite a journey! Faculty and staff have spent the summer preparing for what we hope will be a challenging, productive, enjoyable year for every student.

In order to communicate efficiently and effectively, we will publish our Wednesday Notice twice a month, on the first and third Wednesdays. That pace will allow us sufficient production time between issues to ensure thorough, accurate reporting of school events, activities, and features of interest. Each issue will project the calendar forward for two weeks so you will know what lies ahead at school as you plan your family’s time and activities. We hope our bi-monthly Wednesday Notice will be informative and interesting and become an effective communication tool for all of us. So, you can expect to receive your first official Wednesday Notice on September 1st.

I want to thank everyone who attended the Back-to-School Picnic on Sunday, August 21. Claudia and I enjoyed the opportunity to meet so many members of the CCPS community. We felt warmly welcomed and look forward to an exciting, rewarding first year here at Crossroads College Prep. The enthusiasm among the students was wonderful to witness and confirmed the strong sense of community that characterizes our school.

Thank you for entrusting your child’s education to us; we take that responsibility seriously and, at the same time, appreciate and celebrate the joy of discovery that is so essential to the educational process. Let’s have a great year together!

School Starts Wednesday, August 24

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:11:19 GMT

It was great seeing so many of you at the picnic, but now the real 2011-2012 adventure begins. Check out the attached pictures from the picnic and the teachers' meetings.

Nell Briggs and Faith Reid participate in the UMSL 2011 STARS Program

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 23:11:47 GMT

For academically talented high school juniors and seniors, this summer afforded them a chance to research everything from neural circuits in the brain to human/robot interaction to evolutionary computation during the 2011 STARS program, hosted by the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

Papers-

Nell Briggs, Crossroads, “Ataxia Telangiecstasia Mutated as a Downstream Target of AMP-activated Protein Kinase”, Dr. Jonathan Fisher, Saint Louis University

Faith Reid, Crossroads, “School Preparedness for Disasters: School Nurse Involvement, Pandemic Readiness, and H1N1 Experience”, Dr. Terri Rebmann, Saint Louis University

Crossroads College Prep awarded a "What's Right with the Region!" award for "Creating Quality Educational Opportunities"

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:21:58 GMT

The 14th annual “What’s Right with the Region!” (WRWR) awards celebration recognized success stories from throughout the greater St. Louis region. They applaud the outstanding accomplishments achieved by those working so hard for the greater good of this region.

http://townandstyle.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=35647664&event=1244185&CategoryID=6665

http://www.focus-stl.org/ProgramsInitiatives/PromotingCommunityConnections/WhatsRightWithTheRegion.aspx

Message from the New Head of School Clark Daggett

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:52:33 GMT

Dear Crossroads College Prep Family and Friends,

After completing my final responsibilities in Massachusetts, Claudia and I have arrived in St. Louis excited to begin the next chapter in our lives. We look forward to getting to know everyone involved with Crossroads College Prep and becoming a part of this wonderful, forward-looking school community.

During the Head of School search process I enjoyed meeting with students, parents, alumni, friends, faculty, and staff. Without exception, everyone was so warm and welcoming that I am sure Claudia and I will feel very much at home in a very short time.

The first order of business is to prepare for the next school year with the help of our great faculty and staff. I look forward to an exciting, productive 2011-12 school year, and especially to the opportunity to get to know our students and their families as the school year begins.

Enjoy the rest of your summer! See you in the fall.

Clark Daggett

 Head of School

GIRLS WIN 1ST SOCCER DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP IN SCHOOL HISTORY WITH A 2-0 VICTORY!

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:24:08 GMT

Congrats to Mark, Amy, Gail, Ben, and the girls on a great season!

Go Current!!

Micah Garrido (class of 2013) won the St. Louis Teen Talent Showcase held at the Fabulous Fox on May 6.

Mon, 09 May 2011 16:31:28 GMT

Micah Garrido (class of 2013) won the St. Louis Teen Talent Showcase
held at the Fabulous Fox on May 6. After advancing through two
preliminary rounds, plus an extremely competitive talent contest at
CCPS held earlier in April, Micah led a talented field of 11 other
acts by playing George Harrison’s "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" on
his electric ukulele. Micah literally found the ukulele three years
ago. While visiting his grandparents in Guam, he discovered an old
instrument in a closet. At school, Micah can usually be found in the
glassed main entrance during activity period; the glass creates
acoustics that are perfect for his compositions. Crossroads College
Prep was one of 42 area high schools that participated in the Teen
Talent Showcase. A special broadcast of the preliminaries and final
event will be shown by Channel 9 on May 23 at 7 p.m. and May 28 at
3:30 p.m.

archive:

Micah Garrido (Class of 2013) is one of 12 finalists in the Teen
Talent Showcase:

Micah performed "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," written by George
Harrison and arranged by Jake Shimabukuro.

The Final Competition will be held at the Fabulous Fox on Friday, May
6 at 8 pm. This a FREE event (small handling fee for tickets) however
you must have a ticket for admittance to the Fox Theatre.
For ticket information:
http://www.foxpacf.org/teen-talent-showcase.aspx#SLTTSTicketInfo

St. Louis Teen Talent Showcase

Watch the video

Finals: May 6, 2011 at the Fabulous Fox

Senior Jay Gill has been selected as a Class of 2011 Gates Millennium Scholar

Wed, 04 May 2011 18:48:35 GMT

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is awarding Jay a
renewable scholarship to study at any accredited university. The
scholarship extends throughout his undergraduate career into master’s
and doctoral studies and covers expenses including housing and books.
Jay is attending University of Pennsylvania this fall where he will
study brain science.

Mia Watkins Publishes and Appears On Television

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:02:50 GMT

Congratulations to Mia Watkins on her television debut! Mia, Class of 2012, was invited on Great Day St. Louis (linked below) to talk about her recently published book Eden’s Valley, Land of Life.
Congratulations to Mia on publishing her book and receiving the well-deserved praise. You can check out the video below.

Mia has a book signing this Saturday, April 30, from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. at the Family Christian Bookstore North Country Plaza 10807 W. Florissant Ave., St Louis, MO 63136

Mia's Great Day St. Louis Video

Mia's Website

Terry Watkins, Crossroads College Prep Class of 2012, wins State of Missouri Poetry Out Loud Competition

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 20:16:32 GMT

"Crossroads student competes in national poetry contest"- read the article in the Post

Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition to high schools across the country. Poetry Out Loud was created in partnership by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation with the collaboration of State Arts Agencies as a way to foster the next generation of literary readers by building on the resurgence of poetry as an oral art form, as seen in the slam poetry movement and the popularity of rap music. Through Poetry Out Loud, students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.

As the Missouri State Champion, Terry will compete in the 2011 National Finals in Washington, DC, on April 29, 2011. At the national finals, winners will receive $50,000 total in scholarships and school stipends, with a $20,000 college scholarship for the Poetry Out Loud National Champion.