Recitation Grand Finale: It was the Cat’s Meow!

In its 10th year, The Cat’s Meow made its biggest splash yet in the YHS community. Three hundred senior students competed to earn one of the seventeen spots at this evening event, and the finalists did not disappoint the biggest crowd we’ve ever had. All of these girls deserve special recognition for this achievement alone. They are:

Grade 8
Anna
Jasmine

Grade 9
Julia
Shae
Maggie
Emily

Grade 12
Rachel
Muhan
Jasmyne

Grade 10
Anisha
Stephanie
Fraser
Lucy

Grade 11 
Ariane
Georgia
Taneisha
Ally

 Cat's Meow Recitation Grand Finale
Click for more photos from the Cat’s Meow Recitation Grand Finale.

The night was highlighted by some of the most poignant, emotional performances ever seen at the final, as well as some laugh-out-loud speeches and monologues.

Our three judges, YHS parents Dylan Brown and Shawn Pozer, and local comedian and writer Mary-Jo Dionne, were truly impressed. Mary-Jo commented that if her young daughter grows up with the confidence and poise that the finalists showed that night, she would be perfectly happy.

While the judges were deliberating, Public Speaking Co-Head Constance and Ms. Boteju went face-to-face in a Haiku Battle for the audience’s “enjoyment”. It was both cringe-worthy and fun…and cringe-worthy. Guru Kassam (Co-Head Jasmyne) awarded bragging rights to Constance in what will surely become a Cat’s Meow tradition.

The prizewinners for the evening were as follows–a very tough decision for the judges!
Click the name to watch the recitation:

Cat's Meow Recitation Grand Finale
Click for more photos.

Junior Category

1st Place – Shae, Grade 9

2nd Place – Emily, Grade 9

Senior Category:

1st Place (and People’s Choice Award)– Ally, Grade 11

2nd Place – Rachel, Grade 12

3rd Place – Stephanie, Grade 10

Best Overall Recitation – Julia, Grade 9

Thanks to the English Department for their work and guidance during class rounds, to the YHS staff who volunteered to judge the grade finals, to our guest judges, and to all the students and staff who helped with photography, videotaping, ushering, and more! And finally, thank you to my incredible Co-Heads, Constance and Jasmyne, who have made the whole process easy and fun!

Congratulations to all students for taking on a worthwhile challenge!

Ms. Boteju
Public Speaking Coach
English Department Head

It was the Cat’s Meow!

THE CAT’S MEOW! Recitations 2013

Sr. School Recitation Grand Finale Photos
Click for more photos from the Sr. School Recitation Grand Finale.

The annual school-wide recitation competition, “The Cat’s Meow“, wrapped up on February 6th in the Odette Tognetti Theatre. Sixteen girls in grades 8-12 progressed through class and grade rounds to make it to this final and all should be commended for their impressive presentations.

Click on the name for a video of their recitation:

In Grade 8: Shae W., Michelle N., and Isabelle C. In Grade 9: Colette R., Fraser J., and Sarah T. In Grade 10: Alannah S., Jaclyn L., and Marissa L. In Grade 11: Constance L., Shannon S., and Anna B. And in Grade 12: Myriam V., Amabel S., Eleni J., and Amy Z.

The night began with a hilarious opening by ‘Amy Poehler’ and ‘Tina Fey’ (otherwise known as Jasmyne K. and Constance L., our Public Speaking Heads and MCs for the evening). As we watched each recitation, it became very clear that this was one of the strongest finals to date! After much, much deliberation, the winners were chosen by four esteemed judges–YHS parents Agnes Finan, Gaby Eirew, Tamara Taggart, and local actor Patrick Sabongui. See the closing remarks here…and check out this mention on CTV News.

Congratulations to the following award winners (click on the name to view a video of their recitation!)

Junior Category:

1st Place
Fraser J., Grade 9

2nd Place
Colette R., Grade 9

3rd Place
Isabelle C., Grade 8

Senior Category:

1st Place
Constance L., Grade 11

2nd Place
Shannon S., Grade 11

3rd Place
Alannah S., Grade 10

People’s Choice Award – A Tie!
Constance L., Grade 11
Amabel S., Grade 12

Best Overall Recitation
Amabel S., Grade 12

Special thanks to all teachers, administration, judges, and students who helped to make this recitation tournament a great success! Extra special thanks to my wonderful PS Heads: Constance L. and Jasmyne K. for all their help and for being so fun to work with! And of course, congratulations to ALL YHS Tigers who took on the challenge of speaking in front of an audience! Amazing job everyone!

Tanya Boteju

We made the news!