Kaley Schwab, a student at Mandan High School, was awarded the second place winner in the North Dakota State Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest.

The event, hosted by the North Dakota Council on the Arts took place on Tuesday, March 9, at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck. Brianna Anderson of Fargo Shanley High School took first place, and third place was awarded to Kaitlin McNary of Wahpeton High School.

During the competition, Schwab recited the poems “Father’s Old Blue Cardigan” and “The Gift.”

All the contestants recited works are selected from an anthology of more than 400 classic and contemporary poems.

Emcee Debra Marquart and special guest Justine Chiappetta, presented the awards to the participants. All participating contestants received a $25 bookstore gift card, certificate of participation and an engraved bookmark.

As second place winner, Schwab received a trophy, medallion, $100, an additional $25 gift card, plus $200 for her school library.