Poetry Out Loud

About Poetry Out Loud

Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation competition for high school students. By encouraging youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance, students can master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.

Participating high schools host their own competitions and select a student to represent their school at the state finals. The state champion will advance to the national finals in Washington, D.C. and compete for a $20,000 college scholarship. School champions will be invited to participate in the Michigan Youth Arts Festival, a three-day event featuring the finest artistic talent in Michigan high schools. More than 15,000 students from at least 50 Michigan high schools have participated in Poetry Out Loud programs since 2005.

Randi Laundre, a 10th grader from Alba Public School, was named the 2012 Michigan Poetry Out Loud champion. Laundre bested 35 other high school students at the state championship, held March 9-10 at Saginaw Valley State University. She will compete in the national finals in Washington, D.C., May 13-15, 2012.

Michigan Poetry Out Loud 2011-12

The Michigan Poetry Out Loud State Championship was held March 9-10, 2012 at Saginaw Valley State University, Rhea E. Miller Recital Hall. The two-day event began with Round One on Friday, March 9, and with Round Two and the Final Round on Saturday, March 10.

After the completion of Round One, the InsideOut Literary Arts Project facilitated interactive events for all Poetry Out Loud participants. InsideOut is locatd in Detroit and engages youth in the pleasure and power of reading and writing. The program places professional writers in schools to assist youth in developing self-expression and provide them opportunities to publish and perform their work.

Following completion of the Final Round, the state champion was announced and honored at a reception hosted by the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum and the Michigan Humanities Council.

2011-2012 Contest Schedule

February 3, 2012. Deadline to submit school champion.
March 9 & 10, 2012. State Championship (Saginaw Valley State University)
- March 9 - Round One, followed by dinner and an evening event for participants
- March 10 - Round Two and the Final Round, followed by a museum reception
May 10-12, 2012. Michigan Youth Arts Festival
May 14-15, 2012. National Finals, Washington, DC.

Teacher Resources

Participation form. Deadline: November 18, 2011.
School champion form. Deadline: February 3, 2012.
Permission forms (under 18; 18 or older). Deadline: February 3, 2012.
Travel reimbursement form. Deadline: March 17, 2012.
Lead teacher evaluation form (via SurveyMonkey). Deadline: March 17, 2012.
Student evaluation forms: Students may complete their surveys on paper (PDF) or online (via SurveyMonkey). Student paper surveys must be collated and submitted as part of the lead teacher evaluation forms (above). Deadline: March 17, 2012.
Eligible poems.
Teacher's Guide.

Prizes

The state winner will receive $200 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete for the national championship. The state winner’s school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. The runner-up in the state competition will receive $100, along with $200 for his or her school library. Scholarships and school stipends totaling $50,000 will be awarded at the national finals, with a $20,000 college scholarship for the Poetry Out Loud national champion. All Michigan finalists are invited to participate in the Michigan Youth Arts Festival, with the four state finalists receiving scholarships to attend the Festival on behalf of the Council.