About the Contest

The Stark Reading Contest (SRC) has been held every year since 1904. It began with Miriam Stark’s idea of promoting literary skills in reading and oral interpretation for area students. Over the years, the contest grew and evolved. The contests are now held at local schools providing students from Orangefield, West Orange Stark, Vidor, Little Cypress-Mauriceville and Bridge City an opportunity to compete at school contests for scholarship funds for college.

First Place winners of declamation and first place winners in interpretive reading from each school compete in a countywide final with first and second place receiving additional scholarship awards.

Contest winners receive scholarships, and all 10 finalists receive watches, a long held tradition of the contest.

Students must maintain a passing grade of 70 or above in all classes to be eligible. *

The contest involves interpretive reading and declamation. This means that students will present/read selections for speeches, poetry or other literary works before an audience.

Declamation is a presentation of another author’s material such as a speech, address or other oratorical platform. Declamation encourages effective public speaking techniques. Example of declamation selection – A speech by Susan B. Anthony or Elie Wiesel.

Interpretive Reading or Poetry/Prose is the oral interpretation of a selection. It encourages comprehension, appreciation, and analysis of poetry/prose, demonstrating the ability to evoke an audience’s reaction through interpretation. Example of interpretive reading selection – A Poem by Pablo Neruda or a section of a short story by Kate Chopin.

The Director from your school is expected to offer students guidance about each of these categories and selection options and be the main resource for the student.

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