Power in Poetry

California is home to the largest Poetry Out Loud competition in the country

As fall settles in the county, high school teachers are guiding students in poetry recitation and competitions.

Poetry Out Loud is an initiative of the National Endowment for the arts and is administered statewide by the California Arts Council, with the designated state-local partner being The Marin Cultural Association.

High school teachers use Poetry Out Loud tool kits and other materials to help students select poems and shape presentation. From classroom competitions, winners advance to a school-wide competition.

School champions eventually compete at the district or county level. Here in California, county winners participate in the two day Poetry Out Loud State Finals in Sacramento.

Last year, Lily Bogas of Marin County, was the First Place winner of the 2019 State Champions.

California state champions receive a $200 cash prize and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the Poetry Out Loud National Finals. They also receive $500 for their school to buy literary materials.

This year, the National Finals in Washington D.C. will take place April 27-29, 2020.

Stay tuned for more information about the Marin County Poetry Out Loud Competition and the California State Poetry Out Loud Finals.

To learn more about Poetry Out Loud, visit www.poetryoutloud.org.