What is 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. The program and all materials are provided to each partner at no cost.

Each year, participating partners host their own competitions and select a student to represent their school at the state finals. The state champion advances to the national finals in Washington, D.C. and competes for a $20,000 college scholarship.

Poetry Out Loud is a partnership of Michigan Humanities, Michigan Arts and Culture Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Awards

Michigan’s state champion receives a $1,000 cash award and an opportunity to represent Michigan at the national competition. At the state level, the first runner-up will receive $750, the second runner-up will receive $500, and the third runner-up will receive $250.

School Partner Expectations

• Incorporate poetry recitation into curriculum (at teacher’s discretion) during fall and winter 2024-25.
• Hold classroom and school competitions—virtually, in-person, or in a hybrid format—to determine school champion.
• Ensure school champion will attend state and national championships (if selected).
• Provide school champion’s information to Michigan Humanities.
• Be prepared to report expenses, dates (teaching and competitions), and participation numbers. Full contest rules are available in the Poetry Out Loud teacher’s guide.

Michigan Humanities’ Commitment

• Provide a Poetry Out Loud teacher’s guide to each participating teacher.
  
• Provide a fuel stipend for students, parents, and teachers traveling to the state competition.
• Provide State Champion with the Poetry Out Loud traveling trophy to be kept at their school for one year. Champion will also receive a minimum award of $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete for a $20,000 scholarship at the national competition.
• Provide poetry programming opportunities and offer Poetry Out Loud support via Michigan Humanities.

Current & Past Champions

• 2024: Paige Cook, Interlochen Arts Academy, Interlochen
• 2023: Glenn Doss, Melvindale High School, Melvindale
• 2022: Gabriel Blaikie, Interlochen Arts Academy, Interlochen
• 2021: Madison Ganzak, Roosevelt High School, Wyandotte

Social Media

Get updates, post questions, and share your photos via the Michigan Humanities’ accounts below and with #MIHumanities, #MIPoetryOutLoud, and #IamPoetryOutLoud.

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