The annual Washington Academy Formal Speaking Program was held on April 27 at WA’s Larson Library. Students recited self-selected pieces in front of an audience of family members, friends, and school staff. The following students and their pieces were: Heather Blythe- “O Captain! My Captain!” by Walt Whitman, Candace Craven- “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe, Ben Rose- Monologue from Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard, Matt Talbot- “Freedom” by Paul Eluard, Rachel Young- “Daddy’s Day” by Cheryl Costello-Forshey, and Anne Zegers- “Hymn to Isis”. The winners of the Formal Speaking Contest were Ben Rose and Matt Talbot.

Adjunct Assistant Professor Lisa J. Athearn and Professor of English Gerard NeCastro, both from the University of Maine at Machias, and Librarian at the Porter Memorial Library Lee McBride served as judges for the evening. Washington Academy faculty assisting with the program were Mrs. Jean Plummer, Ms. Jodie Handrahan, and Ms. Amy Axe.

Ben Rose and Matt Talbot, Formal Speaking winners

(L-R) Ben Rose, Matt Talbot, Anne Zegers, Rachel Young, Candace Craven, and Heather Blythe