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The Blizzard Interrupts the Poetry Contest

I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had

The historic storm interrupts a carefully built classroom contest, but the delay creates a second opportunity for students to show what they have learned.

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A Contest in ProgressA Contest in Progress from "I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had". A Contest in Progress Recitations begin Students perform poems before teacher judges, with Al G arriving late and Paige becoming overwhelmed by her poem.
A Contest in Progress Recitations begin Students perform poems before teacher judges, with Al G arriving late and Paige becoming overwhelmed by her poem. The contest reveals different forms of preparation and vulnerability. An unfinished event Ten contestants remain when the class ends. Danza expects to resume promptly and maintain the energy the activity has created.
Snow Closes SchoolSnow Closes School from "I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had". Snow Closes School A record storm The Blizzard of 2010 brings more than seventy inches of snow to Philadelphia over the following week and a half.
Snow Closes School A record storm The Blizzard of 2010 brings more than seventy inches of snow to Philadelphia over the following week and a half. School closes, and the contest cannot continue on schedule. Lost momentum Danza worries that students will forget the work and the class will fall behind. The closure turns the curriculum clock into another source of pressure.
The Return to RecitationThe Return to Recitation from "I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had". The Return to Recitation Resuming the contest When school reconvenes, the remaining students recite their poems.
The Return to Recitation Resuming the contest When school reconvenes, the remaining students recite their poems. Danza asks finalists to perform again because the earlier scores are close. Al’s reluctance Al G says he is not going to win and would rather keep his original score. Danza does not force a second performance, preserving a choice within the competition.
Daniel’s Finalist PerformanceDaniel’s Finalist Performance from "I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had". Daniel’s Finalist Performance A quiet interpretation Daniel performs He Sits Alone with a portrait and sad music.
Daniel’s Finalist Performance A quiet interpretation Daniel performs He Sits Alone with a portrait and sad music. The final image and line move Linda Carroll to tears. A personal explanation Daniel says the poem makes him think of a grandmother who lives far away. His response gives the contest an emotional center beyond the prize.
A Class Reaches Its AudienceA Class Reaches Its Audience from "I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had". A Class Reaches Its Audience A unanimous decision The judges give Daniel top scores, and Danza surprises the finalists with cameras for each of them.
A Class Reaches Its Audience A unanimous decision The judges give Daniel top scores, and Danza surprises the finalists with cameras for each of them. The contest becomes a shared celebration after a long interruption. Renewed purpose Linda Carroll thanks the students for reminding her why she does the work. The activity helps restore morale for students and staff alike.
The Friday before the storm
Midnight at the start of the blizzard
After more than a week of closures
The day the contest resumes
Immediately after Daniel’s performance