Saturday, November 29, 2008

Magdalena students express themselves

T.S. Last El Defensor Chieftain General Manager,tslast@dchieftain.com

Memorization and speaking skills were put to the test on Thursday, Nov. 20, when Magdalena Schools held its annual declamation contest.

A group of elementary school students recited poems and prose before a panel of three judges and a larger audience of fellow students, teachers and parents.

The students competed in four categories: serious poetry, serious prose, humorous poetry and humorous prose.

"They have to memorize a poem or story, then act it out," explained teacher Nancy Jaramillo. "The whole idea is to get them used to public speaking. They learn that they can get up in front of crowds."

The students are scored on several elements, including appearance, poise, originality and memorization.

Jaramillo has been involved in the declamation contest for more than 20 years, starting when she was with Socorro Schools. She was instrumental in bringing it to Magdalena when she joined the faculty two decades ago.

Now, students from both school districts compete in a county declamation contest, which this year will be hosted by Magdalena on Thursday, Dec. 4.

Most of the poems and prose come from books by Shel Silverstein and other authors of children's books, but not all of them. Jaramillo said one boy recited the lyrics of Johnny Cash's "Ragged Old Flag."

Jaramillo said it takes a lot of work to excel at declamation. Like a lot of things, the ones who do the best are the ones who practice the most — both in the classroom and at home.

Isreal Mansell said he practiced a lot in front of his grandmother, helping him win a trophy for humorous prose.

Mansell wore a black cowboy hat to act out "How I Spent My Summer Vacation," a children's book by Mark Teague that tells the story of a schoolboy who learned the ropes as a cowboy and stopped a cattle stampede.

Shanise Sandoval entered the serious prose contest with "If I Had My Life to Live Over" by columnist and author Erma Bombeck.

"It's about inviting friends over and worrying less," Sandoval said. "It's says you should be nice to others."

Gabriela Apachito placed in humorous prose by telling a Cuban folktale called "Martina the Beautiful Cockroach." She said it helped her to study the book and use a lot of hand motions.

Apachito said the declamation contest could help in the future, "If you ever have to introduce someone sometime."

Mansell said it would be beneficial if you were the one being introduced.

"It would help if you became president," he said.

Altogether, 36 students participated in the contest. While it's hard for some students to get up in front of everyone and act out their stories, Jaramillo insists it helps them overcome barriers that could hold them back later in life.

"It gives them confidence," she said. "You never know, maybe we do have someone who will become president."

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