Students taking Spanish courses at UT gathered Monday night at the International House to compete in a Spanish poetry contest.

Laura Trujillo Mejía and Toya Handelsman, both Spanish professors at UT, organized the event for students from 200- to 500-level Spanish. More than 50 students recited in the contest.

The animated master of ceremonies, Gregory Kaplan, introduced each student before they recited poems by famous Spanish poets. These poets included Pablo Neruda, Octavio Paz, César Vallejo and many others.

The contest was divided into three groups and judged by a panel of three judges. Dorothy Winkles, a high school Spanish teacher at Maryville High School, William Heflin Jr., a UT professor, and Yulan Washburn, also a UT professor, judged each student on emotion, interpretation and pronunciation.

Britanny Bowman, the winner of the 200-level Spanish group, recited a poem by Alfonsina Storni. The winner of the 300- to 400-level group, Alfred Gribble, recited a rhythmic poem by Nicolás Guillén, “Sensemayá.” Jules Harris and Timothy Haskins won the 500-level group with “Ándeme yo caliente” by Luis de Góngora.

Each winner received a gift certificate to the UT Book & Supply Store, but every student learned more about Spanish language and culture.