The Old South Meeting House in Boston was filled with poetry on Sunday, March 13, as 24 students from Massachusetts competed in the Poetry Out Loud State Finals.

Dartmouth High School senior Patrick Kitchen was one of the top six finalists, placing fourth in the entire state. The first place winner, Courtney Bryan Devon Stewart, is moving on to Nationals in Washington D.C. in May.

Kitchen recited three poems at the competition: “The Death of Allegory” by Billy Collins, “April Love” by Ernest Dowson and “Song of the Powers” by David Mason.

“I admit, preparing for the high school competition, I never would have expected to advance to regionals in South Yarmouth, and from there to the state finals,” said Kitchen. “It was a totally surreal experience reciting and hearing poetry in a place with such history. Truly inspiring.”

At the high school level and regional levels, Kitchen recited two poems (Collins and Dowson), however, when it was announced at the state finals that he had placed in the top six out of 24 finalists for his first recitations, he was given around 10 minutes to prepare his final third round poem, which was “Song of the Powers.”

“His choice of poems showed his range,” said English teacher Marek Kulig. “His ability to recite them emphasized his intellect and hard work.”

Aside from the competition, Kitchen said the event was about camaraderie.

“I can honestly say that while it was very intimidating to see so many talented individuals perform at the state competition, it was also such a joy to meet so many like-minded ‘lovers of literature,’” said Kitchen. “I definitely made several friends that day.”

All of the poems must be selected from the Poetry Out Loud print or online anthology, which is updated every summer. At the state and national finals, students must have three poems prepared: one must be 25 lines or fewer, and one must be written before the 20th century.  The same poem may be used to meet both criteria, and may be the student’s third poem.

“It was an overall wonderful experience,” said Kulig. “Super enlightening and totally heart-strengthening. Patrick’s recitations definitely earned him a position in the top six in Massachusetts.”

Kitchen was thankful to several members of the Dartmouth High faculty who came out to support him at the regional competition in Yarmouth, as well as Kulig for driving to Boston for 9 a.m. on a Sunday morning to cheer him on at states.

“I’ve never had Patrick as a student, so I don’t know how far he’s come since freshman year, but it seems like Patrick is always progressing,” said Kulig. “He is someone who puts in work, and it’s evident by his final product. Product is a bad word, though. He brings his work to life.”

Twenty-one thousand high school students participated in Poetry Out Loud this year from across Massachusetts. As a top six finalist, Kitchen won two season tickets to the Huntington Theatre Company until he turns 21.

“Patrick Kitchen continues to be an impressive example of what a Dartmouth student can do,” said Principal John Gould.