Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation competition for high school students. Participating students develop public speaking skills. They build self-confidence and learn to connect with literature in new ways, often discovering a new outlet for creative expression.
Poetry Out Loud is supported by The National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation. ArtsWA coordinates and manages the program in Washington State.
Teacher-to-Teacher Sessions
Please note: these dates may be subject to adjustment.
2021-2022
All students and schools grades 9-12 may register to participate in the Washington State Poetry Out Loud program. Poetry Out Loud uses a pyramid structure. Students advance from classroom competitions to school-wide competitions. School champions progress to the regional competition. Regional champions move on to the state final. Finally, one student from each state advances to the National Finals.
NEW! POL Virtual makes it possible for students who do not attend schools that register for Poetry Out Loud, and homeschooled students, to participate in the program.
If you are a student or teacher wishing to participate, please visit our Register for Poetry Out Loud page for details.
The 2021 State Final was broadcast on Tuesday, March 16th beginning at 6:30pm. This public broadcast can be viewed through You Tube.
Lucy Shainin, a junior at Anacortes High School in Skagit County, is the 2021 Poetry Out Loud Washington State Champion. Rising to the top from a competitive field of over 6,000 students from 28 schools across the state in a revised virtual competition, Shainin was among the 10 high school students—all regional Poetry Out Loud champions—who competed in the State Final.
Micah Stewart, a junior at Cedar Tree Classical Christian School in Clark County, was named first runner-up. Honorable mentions went to Jenna Elsammak, a freshman at Kamiakin High School in Benton County; Cooper Siems, a sophomore at Concordia Christian Academy in Pierce County; and Bethany Tuchardt, a senior at Battle Ground High School in Clark County.
The state champion receives a $200 cash prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., (with a chaperone) to compete in the National Finals. The state champions’ school receives $500 for the purchase of poetry books.
The runner-up in the state competition receives a $100 cash prize. Their school library receives a $200 cash prize.
National Finals champions receive a $25,000 scholarship and school stipends for poetry books. A total of $50,000 in prizes are awarded to the top students.
All Regional Finals for the 2020-21 school year took place virtually and were not open to the general public. Regional Champions from the four regional competitions are listed below. These ten champions advanced to the State Final in March 2021.
CENTRAL
EASTERN
NORTHWEST
SOUTHWEST
Washington first piloted Poetry Out Loud in 2005. In that first year, the program included just eight high schools in Thurston County. The program has grown to include over 60 schools from across the state. In the 2019-20 school year, over 18,000 students participated.
Washington has consistently ranked in the top five nationally in student participation. Washington State Champions continue to be strong contenders at the National Poetry Out Loud competition. Langston Ward of Spokane became our first National Champion in 2013.
ArtsWA partners with organizations across the state. These partners support school and student participation and regional finals.
Eastern Washington:
Spokane Arts
Central Washington:
Yakima Valley College
Northwest Washington:
Skagit Valley Poetry Foundation
Southwest Washington:
ESD #112
POL Virtual:
Tacoma Little Theatre
ArtsWA also engages teacher leadership in guiding the program, and exploring opportunities for teachers and students to further connect through poetry.
If you have additional questions, contact our Poetry Out Loud coordinator by email.
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