By contributing writer Jackie Couto, ’28

Senior Paloma Arena dominated the Regional Poetry Out Loud Championship again, winning her second title on Feb. 13. Arena performed three poems – “To Fashion” by Elizabeth Moody, “American Solitude” by Grace Schulman, and “Where did the handsome beloved go?” by Jalal Al-Din Rumi. 

The poems that Arena picked were specifically because she felt like she had the best connection with these poems. “Elizebeth Moody is one of my favorite poets so I wanted to include a poem from hers,” Arena says. “My favorite piece to perform is ‘To Fashion’ because I love how it’s written and it’s fun to perform.”

While in her sophomore English class, she found a passion for reading poems with personality and enthusiasm. Since then, she has been performing many different poems throughout the years. “I was so happy and stoked that I won for the second time. It was a really good moment for me,” Arena said.

Matthew Phillips, J-DHS English teacher and organizer for the poetry competition, says that Arena is an extraordinary student and performer who won this with her power, voice, acting, and charisma. “Arena is one of my favorite students I’ve had,” Phillips said. “She has this certain factor that makes her so good for this competition.”

The prize for winning states is $20,000 and Phillips said that the money can be put towards college or other necessities for contestants. “Arena was not able to do the competition last year due to illness but she has come back with a passion and I think she is going to do amazing at states.”

Arena, who has been doing Poetry Outloud for two years, said that she likes doing it for fun and although she enjoys the hobby, she doesn’t have future plans for it.