Jared Peremens Takes Second Runner-Up at State Poetry Out Loud Competition

Senior Jared Peremens, a talented student from Saint Joseph, recently participated in the Poetry Out Loud State Finals at the Crown Plaza in Lansing, Michigan, where he earned second runner-up, placing third overall. This marks a significant achievement, as he is the first Saint Joseph High School student to place in the state-level competition.

For the competitors, the event began with a sign-in and gift basket, followed by a workshop led by a former Poetry Out Loud winner. The workshop focused on using emotions as a source of inspiration for writing. Jared shared how it helped him connect with his own experiences: “We were encouraged to write from the heart, not the mind, and to express our feelings without overthinking it.”

The following day, the competition commenced. Jared was among the first to perform, which helped ease his nerves. As the event progressed, he became less focused on his own performance and more on the diverse range of poems being recited. The audience showed their appreciation with snaps for many performances, including one that stood out for its energy, drawing everyone to stand.

Jared performed three poems in the competition, two of which were deeply political and personal. However, in his opinion, his third poem, which had to meet specific criteria, felt less cohesive compared to the first two. Despite this, his strong initial performances earned him a spot as one of the final contenders.

The competition saw a highly talented field of 27 students from high schools across Michigan. The winner, who had chosen poems with a central theme about Palestine, was praised for creating a cohesive “portfolio” of poems. Jared reflected on the importance of selecting poems that fit well together, stating that his third poem, while meeting the competition's requirements, didn't quite match the strength of his other choices.

Despite not winning, Jared's achievement is a significant milestone. With a trophy and prize money, he's grateful for the experience and plans to continue his journey with poetry. “I wish I’d known about this competition sooner,” Jared said. “It was a great experience, and I’m proud of how far I got.”

Saint Joseph's students now have a role model in Jared, who has shown that dedication can lead to incredible achievements.