9th-grader wins poetry contest

Poetry Out Loud made a return once again to the halls of Berkeley High.

The schoolwide competition took place in December with 11 contestants from all grades.

Contestants were judged on several aspects, including accuracy, voice and difficulty of the poem selected.

Four people judged each contestant's two performances, including last year's winner, Michelle Singletary, as the accuracy judge.

The other judges were teachers Trista Wilcox and Kara Jones, and guidance counselor Laquana Reaves.

Sarah Carter and Caroline Sessions were prompters, and would help a contestant if they were stuck.

The overall winner of the competition was ninth-grader Charles Horton with his recitations of "I Am" and "Mother to Son."

Renee Marion won second and Dylan Shaw was third.

Horton competed in the regional competition Jan. 24 but didn't advance.

"Poetry Out Loud," Sessions said, "not only helps build confidence, but gets students to appreciate poetry."

Mock Trial team set for Feb. 27

Berkeley High School's Mock Trial team is preparing for its comeback after a disappointing defeat against Wando last year.

The defeat was the team's first loss in several years, and members are determined to avoid another.

Mock Trial is preparing a criminal case for the Feb. 27 competition, which concerns an honor society's inductee dying because of a game. The goal is to determine the guilt of the president of the society or whether the death was accidental.

Mock Trial member Benjamin Pollins said, "I'm so happy we finally have a criminal case. I'm determined to make it back to state."

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