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 Participate
Poetry Out Loud materials are sent in the fall for use through early winter. To request materials, contact Kelly Elsey, Program Associate. To register your school in the official contest, click here. Additional information is available at the Poetry Out Loud website: www.poetryoutloud.org.
2012 Contest Schedule
For the 2011-2012 school year, school registrations are due by January 6, 2012, and all school competitions must be held before January 13, 2012. Regional finals will be scheduled for February 18, 2012 and state finals will be held March 3, 2012* at the Lyric Theatre at the Plaza in Oklahoma City. (*Please note the date change from the POL brochure)
Workshops
Teachers may contact Kelly Elsey to schedule a free classroom workshop at any time. Workshops model recitation styles and focus on the value of memorization.
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 his/her chaperone) 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 scholarships 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 2011 POL anthology, teachers guide, audio CD, "Performing Poetry" DVD, promotional guide, and supplemental materials 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.
2011 State Finalists
The Oklahoma Humanities Council announced that six regional finalists will compete for the state title at the Poetry Out Loud Oklahoma state finals at 10:30 a.m., March 5, at the Lyric Theater at the Plaza in Oklahoma City. The finalists are:
- Christianna Clark, Mt. St. Mary's High School (Oklahoma City)
- Hailey Taylor, New Lima High School (New Lima)
- Renae Perry, Stillwater High School (Stillwater)
- Muhammad Habib, Union Intermediate High School (Tulsa)
- Christina Williams, Sapulpa High School (Sapulpa)
- Catherine Horton, Lawton High School (Lawton)
Oklahoma State Poet Laureate Eddie Wilcoxen will give a reading of his poetry during the state finals. A free reception to honor the state finalists will follow the awards presentation.
Read more about the 2011 state finals 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.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Additional Links:
Academy of American Poets
Poetry Foundation