WORLD LANGUAGES DECLAMATION CONTEST
Spanish 3
at South Anchorage High School
Regional and State Declamation Contests
The ASAA sanctioned annual regional and state Declamation Contests are held in February
at East High. High school students have the opportunity to compete in the following events:
Culture Trivia, Poetry Recitation, Dialogues, and Impromptu Speaking.
2013 Regional World Language Declamation Contest: Sat, Feb. 7, 2015
2013 State World Language Declamation Contest: Sat, Feb. 28, 2015
The schedule for both contests are the same:
Time
8:00 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
4:00 p.m.
Event
Culture Trivia registration & competition
Poetry registration
Poetry recitation begins
Impromptu/Dialogue registration
Impromptu & Dialogue begin
Awards Ceremony
Location
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
Poster Contest Information
(Regional World Language Declamation Contest Only)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Each school may enter five posters per language, regardless of level.
Individuals or groups of students (no limit) may submit a poster entry.
A standard size 22” by 28” sheet of poster board or foam core.
The entry must reflect the theme (TBA) announced yearly. Designs need to be in
good taste & devoid of vulgar language (in any language!)
In addition to hand drawn designs, 3-D designs, computer generated graphics/lettering
or pictures clipped from magazines, brochures, etc. are all acceptable.
Poster entries need to be delivered to Elizabeth Dick at South Anchorage High School
by a predetermined deadline.
Poster judging will take place prior to the regional contest day.
The back of each poster must include the following information:
 The first and last names of all students who worked on the entry.
 Language
 Teacher AND School
The top five entries per language will be awarded ribbons.
Winning posters will be on display at the regional contest.
What a way to represent World Languages the West Side Way!
WORLD LANGUAGES DECLAMATION CONTEST
Spanish 3
at South Anchorage High School
Poetry Recitation Information:
1. Each school may enter four participants in each language and level, plus one
alternate. All students must meet eligibility requirements before being registered.
2. The alternate replaces a student who is unable to participate. If all four original
registered participants are present, the alternate may still present for practice
only, but is not eligible to place.
3. Each student must memorize two poems, the required and one alternate.
4. Contestants must earn 80% or better for 1st, 70% or better for 2nd and 60% or
better for 3rd place.
5. Students who do not complete or present the second poem are not eligible to place
at the regional competitionnor continue on to state.
6. Limited gestures are allowed; extensive elaborate staged blocking is not!
7. Props and singing are not allowed.
8. Students who start over or who must be prompted by the judges will receive a 5point deduction each time. However, if a student must start over due to a disruption
(such as a door opening), there is no deduction.
9. Recitations will be open to the public, but viewers will be required to remain in the
room until a break. Viewers and judges will be requested to turn off cell phones,
beepers, etc. Parents with cameras will only be allowed to film their own son or
daughter, not other contestants.
10. Letter jackets or other clothing identifying the school or region of the contestant
may not be worn during competition.
What a way to represent World Languages the West Side Way!
WORLD LANGUAGES DECLAMATION CONTEST
Spanish 3
at South Anchorage High School
Required Poem
RIMA X
-Gustavo Adolfo Beécquer
Los invisibles átomos del aire
en derredor palpitan y se inflaman,
el cielo se deshace en rayos de oro,
la tierra se estremece alborozada.
Oigo flotando en olas de armonías,
rumor de besos y batir de alas;
mis párpados se cierran... —¿Qué sucede?
¿Dime?
—¡Silencio! ¡Es el amor que pasa!
Alternate Poems (choose only one)
Las Campanas
-por Rosalía de Castro
Rima I
-Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
Yo las amo, yo las oigo,
cual oigo el rumor del viento,
el murmurar de la fuente
o el balido de cordero.
Yo sé un himno gigante y extraño
que anuncia en la noche del alma una aurora,
y estas páginas son de ese himno
cadencias que el aire dilata en las sombras.
Como los pájaros, ellas,
tan pronto asoma en los cielos
el primer rayo del alba,
le saludan con sus ecos.
Y en sus notas, que van prolongándose
por los llanos y los cerros,
hay algo de candoroso,
de apacible y de halagüeño.
Yo quisiera escribirle, del hombre
domando el rebelde, mezquino idioma
con palabras que fuesen a un tiempo
suspiros y risas, colores y notas.
Pero en vano es luchar, que no hay cifra
capaz de encerrarle; y apenas, ¡oh, hermosa!,
si, teniendo en mis manos las tuyas,
pudiera, al oído, cantártelo a solas.
Si por siempre enmudecieran,
¡qué tristeza en el aire y el cielo!
¡Qué silencio en la iglesia!
¡Qué extrañeza entre los muertos!
What a way to represent World Languages the West Side Way!
WORLD LANGUAGES DECLAMATION CONTEST
Spanish 3
at South Anchorage High School
Dialogue Information:
1. Two pairs of students in each language and level (1, 2, 3, 4/5/AP and Immersion)
plus two alternates may enter.
2. Each student in the pair must be in the same level for levels 1, 2 and 3.
3. The top two pairs in each language level qualify to compete at state.
4. Each pair will draw two questions and choose one to prepare during a two-minute
period inside the classroom. The second pair will draw and prepare after the first
has finished completely.
5. Dictionaries or prepared notes are not allowed, either during preparation time or
presentation to judges.
6. Pairs will wear “A” and “B” tags while presenting, and will receive separate scores by
the judges. Total scores will be determined by adding both “A” and “B” results.
7. Each pair will be judged in the following areas: pronunciation, range of vocabulary,
grammatical correctness, comprehensibility and fluency/delivery/staying on topic.
8. Time limits are as follows:
Level 1: minimum 1 minute, 30 seconds, maximum 2 minutes, 30 seconds
Level 2: minimum 2 minutes, maximum 3 minutes
Level 3: minimum 2 minutes, 30 seconds, maximum 3 minutes, 30 seconds
Level 4/5/AP and Immersion: minimum 3 minutes, maximum 4 minutes
9. Pairs who exceed the time limit by more than 30 seconds will be disqualified. Pairs
must continue speaking until at least a minute from the maximum time.
10. Judges may ask one or two additional questions to encourage continuous speaking.
11. Contestants must earn 80% or better for first place, 70% or better for second place
and 60% or better for third place.
12. Presentations will be open to the public, but viewers will be required to remain in the
room while a pair is presenting. Viewers and judges will be requested to turn off cell
phones, beepers, etc. Parents with cameras will only be allowed to film their own
son or daughter, not other contestants.
13. Letter jackets or other clothing identifying the school or region of the contestant
may not be worn during competition.
What a way to represent World Languages the West Side Way!
WORLD LANGUAGES DECLAMATION CONTEST
Spanish 3
at South Anchorage High School
Impromptu Speaking Information:
Note: These are the same as for DIALOGUE in regards to scoring, time limts and procedure except for the
following:
1. Each school may enter four participants in each language and level, plus one
alternate. All students must meet eligibility requirements before being registered.
2. The alternate replaces a student who is unable to participate. If all four original
registered participants are present, the alternate may still present for practice
only, but is not eligible to place.
Examples of Level 3 Dialogue Topics:
(May include home, spending money, future plans,
leisure, travel, present, past & future tenses)



You meet a new neighbor who is your age. Discuss your common interests.
Discuss why traveling is enjoyable.
You and a friend plan a surprise party for a mutual friend.
Examples of Level 3 Impromptu Topics:
(May include home, spending money, future plans,
leisure, travel, present, past & future tenses)



Describe where you went on vacation last summer.
What will you do after graduation? (Don’t mention your current school’s name).
Describe the merchandise in your favorite store.
What a way to represent World Languages the West Side Way!
WORLD LANGUAGES DECLAMATION CONTEST
Spanish 3
at South Anchorage High School
Culture Trivia Information:
1. Each school may enter ten participants per language, per level. All students must
meet eligibility requirements before being registered.
2. Each student will complete a multiple choice scantron format test of 50 questions.
Many of the questions are taken from the “Teacher’s Discovery” trivia card sets.
However, some questions will be taken from other sources, in order to make the
tests more challenging. Other sources will not be made known, as it is assumed that
culture is taught in the language classes.
3. Only the tests for levels 1 and 2 will be in English, while those for levels 3 and
higher, including Immersion, will be in the target language.
4. Participants are requested to bring their own number 2 pencils. Pencils will also be
available at the contest.
5. Seating at the tables in the testing area will be mixed languages. Students may not sit
next to those of the same language.
6. Students may not have photocopied question/answer sheet packets with them in the
testing area. Those caught using such packets during the test will be automatically
disqualified.
7. A minimum of 25 points is required to place. The top ten scores 25 or higher in
each language and level will be awarded and qualify to compete at the state level.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spanish 3
I, _________________________, would like to participate in this year’s
Declamation Competition. I understand I will receive extra credit for my
efforts as long as I prepare for the competition, do my best at the
competition, and follow through if I qualify for the State Competition.
Otherwise I forfeit all extra credit I would have received.
__________________________
Printed name
_____________________________
Signature
What a way to represent World Languages the West Side Way!