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Poetry Out Loud

How to Apply | Workshops | Prizes | Curriculum Materials |
NCTE Standards

Poetry Out Loud (POL) is a national contest that encourages high school students to expand their knowledge of poetry through memorization and recitation. The program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.

How to Apply

Poetry Out Loud materials are sent in the fall for use through early winter. To request materials and for information on how your school can participate, contact Dr. Jennifer Kidney, Director of Literature Programs. Additional information is available at the Poetry Out Loud website: www.poetryoutloud.org.

2010 Contest Schedule

Regional Competitions: February 13, 2010. Locations to be determined.
State Finals Competition: March 6, 2010 at Oklahoma City University.

Workshops

Teachers may contact Dr. Jennifer Kidney to schedule a free classroom workshop at any time. Workshops model recitation styles, focus on the value of memorization, and may also include a creative writing component

Contest Structure

Competitions begin at the classroom level. Winners advance to a school-wide competition, then to regional and state finals, and ultimately to the National Finals.

Prizes

The state finals winner will receive $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington (with their teacher) to compete for the national championship. The winner’s school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. One runner-up will receive $100; his or her school will receive $200 for the purchase of poetry books.

A total of $50,000 in scholarship awards and school stipends will be awarded to winners at the National Finals, with a $20,000 college scholarship awarded to the National Champion. Note: prizes are offered only for official competitions identified and conducted by the Oklahoma Humanities Council.

Curriculum Materials

Resources include the POL anthology, teachers guide, audio CD, "Best Performances" DVD, promotional guide, and supplemental matierals about teaching poetry. Hard copies of curriculum materials are free for participating schools. Schools not involved in the official contest may download online materials from the Poetry Out Loud website: www.poetryoutloud.org.

NCTE Standards

Poetry Out Loud lesson plans satisfy all of the NCTE English Language Arts Standards. In addition to memorizing and reciting poetry, students discuss the lives of great poets and their work. The program requires only 2-3 weeks of class time and does not require full class periods.

2009 State Finalists

Renae Perry, a sophomore at Stillwater High School, won the 2009 state finals competition held on February 28th at Oklahoma City University.

As the state winner, Perry will receive an all-expenses-paid trip with a chaperone to compete in the National Finals, April 26-28 in Washington, D.C. Perry’s teacher, Debbie Dawson, will also attend the National Finals, thanks to a grant from Sonic, America’s Drive-In. The Poetry Out Loud National Champion will receive a $20,000 college scholarship.

Six high school regional winners from across the state competed in the Poetry Out Loud finals, including:

Nathan Holliday - Putnam City West High School, OKC
Mati Kappel - MacArthur High School, Lawton
Renae Perry - Stillwater High School
Christina Williams - Sapulpa High School
Sarah Wilson - New Lima High School [2nd place winner]
Zachary Corcoran Young - Harding Charter Preparatory High School, OKC

Read more about this year's state finalists on our News/Media page under press releases.

OHC facilitates Poetry Out Loud in partnership with the Oklahoma Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Poetry Foundation.