When Anthony Arnieri '18 took to the stage at Founders Theater for Wilbraham & Monson Academy's Poetry Out Loud contest, he was just trying to not screw up.
When the competition was over, Anthony had a different concern altogether – he would have to postpone his spring break.
Anthony won WMA's Poetry Out Loud competition Feb. 3, earning a spot in the state event to be held in Springfield March 6 – a day after WMA begins spring break.
"My biggest fear wasn't winning or losing: it was not messing up," Anthony said. "My poem was simple to understand and I thought if I messed up people would think I'm stupid. I wasn't concerned about winning – I just wanted to do well."
Emily Dromgold '17 was named the runner-up, Emma Stoll '18 placed third and Zihan "Leo" Liu '18 was crowned the International winner.
Anthony recited T.S. Eliot's "La Figlia Che Piange" and Emily Dickinson's "I Heard A Fly Buzz – When I Die."
"It felt really good," Anthony said. "I didn't expect to win. Emily did a great job and Emma did a great job. It felt great when the judges said my name as the winner.
"It was a lot of fun. Going into it I was dreading it. I didn't think I'd enjoy it that much but I really did."