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.
2012 State Finalists
The Oklahoma Humanities Council is pleased to announce that six regional finalists competed for the state title at the Poetry Out Loud Oklahoma state finals on Saturday, March 3, 2012, at the Lyric Theater at the Plaza in Oklahoma City. The results of that competition are:
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Oklahoma State Champion - Denise Burns, Lawton High School (Lawton)
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2nd Place Finalist - Morgan Steele, Union Intermediate High School (Broken Arrow)
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Olivia Fletcher, Stillwater High School (Stillwater)
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Denisse Garcia, Putnam City West High School (Oklahoma City)
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Megan Holmes, Cushing High School (Cushing)
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Sarah Southerland, Dickson High School (Dickson)
Oklahoma State Poet Laureate Eddie Wilcoxen gave a reading of his poetry during the 2012 state finals. A free reception to honor the state finalists followed the awards presentation
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.
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