St. Bernard Preparatory School in Cullman held its first annual Bard Competition on Feb. 6. The competition was a celebration of poetry brought to life. In the tradition of ancient bards—poets and storytellers who memorized and recited verse before an audience—students selected a poem, committed it to memory, and performed it using voice, expression, and interpretation. In a middle school setting, the competition highlighted creativity, confidence, and the art of public speaking.

This year’s competition welcomed 11 middle school students representing St. Bernard Middle School, St. Rose Academy in Birmingham, and Sacred Heart School in Cullman. Participants included three sixth graders, four seventh graders, and four eighth graders, making the event a meaningful gathering of young scholars from across the region.

Students performed a rich selection of classic and sacred poetry, including “Verbum Supernum” by St. Thomas Aquinas, “America for Me” by Henry Van Dyke, “God’s Grandeur” by Gerard Manley Hopkins, and “The Three Kings” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

The overall winner was Morgan Hunt of St. Rose Academy with “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe. 

From the sixth grade, first place went to St. Rose’s Libby Robichaux, and second place went to Malia Ball, also of St. Rose. The third-place award for sixth grade went to Sophia Hill from Sacred Heart.

For the seventh grade, four awards were given. First place went to Grace Aguilar of St. Rose. Second place also went to a St. Rose student, Stone Burch. St. Bernard was represented in third and fourth place with Valeria Becerra and Ryan Keough, respectively. 

Eighth grade winners included Morgan Hunt of St. Rose earning first place, Carolina Burch of St. Rose with second place, Nataly Chavez of St. Bernard Middle taking home third, and Murphy Thomas of St. Bernard Middle rounding out the awards with fourth place. 

Organizer Rachael Stover expressed happiness regarding the turnout. “It is our hope the Bard Competition will become an annual event,” she remarked. With its emphasis on poetry, confidence, and expressive performance, the competition offered students an opportunity to discover their voices—and share them boldly.