A gifted secondary school student from Rugby has achieved first place in a national poetry competition after delivering an exceptional performance at The Globe Theatre. Ameera Hashmi secured the victory in the Poetry by Heart competition, a prestigious event where students memorize and present two poems at the renowned London venue.
Expressing her elation, the Year 12 student from Rugby High School shared, “Words cannot describe the immense thrill and enchantment of performing on the Globe stage. The atmosphere in the theatre was simply electric! It was truly surreal to stand on the stage and establish such a deeply personal connection with the audience and the poet judges while portraying my character, The Cleaner. I am extremely grateful to Poetry by Heart and the Rugby High School English department for granting me this incredible opportunity. The entire journey was extraordinary, and I had the pleasure of forming bonds with like-minded students. It was an unforgettable experience, and a memory that I will always hold dear.”
Celebrating Ameera’s achievement, Rachel Danks, an English teacher at Rugby High School, expressed great pride stating, “We are incredibly proud of Ameera for her outstanding victory in the esteemed Poetry By Heart poetry recitation competition. Ameera has been dedicated to Poetry By Heart since her time in Year 10, and her growth and maturity in delivering recitations over the years have been truly commendable. The poems she selected this year were challenging and humorous, allowing Ameera to convey a range of emotions and attitudes, which she executed with precise control over her voice, facial expressions, and gestures. Most importantly, she delivered them with heartfelt emotion. The judges in the school competition recognized her exceptional talent, and it’s truly wonderful that Ameera’s abilities have been acknowledged by a panel of esteemed poetry figures at the national final, organized by the brilliant Poetry By Heart team. Ameera deserves huge congratulations.”
Poetry by Heart is a national poetry speaking competition for schools and colleges, welcoming students from key stages 2 to 5 to participate. This victory continues a legacy of excellence at Rugby High School. In 2021, former student Elise Scotney emerged as the winner of the competition and was subsequently invited to read to the Education Secretary in The Rose Garden at 10 Downing Street on National Poetry Day. Furthermore, another student from Rugby High School, Miriam Clements, secured the runner-up position in 2022 and had the opportunity to recite her poems on the stage at The Globe on National Poetry Day, as well as attend an evening performance of The Tempest.
Ameera’s triumph is a testament to her dedication and passion for poetry, and her success shines a bright light on the unwavering commitment of the students and educators at Rugby High School to excel in the realm of literature and the arts.