How it works
The structure of Poetry Out Loud is similar to a spelling bee. This annual program starts in the fall, with high school teachers using the free Poetry Out Loud teacher toolkit and related materials to teach poetry recitation and run classroom competitions. Classroom winners advance to a schoolwide competition; school champions compete at the district or county level by mid-February. County winners are then treated to an unforgettable two days at the California Poetry Out Loud State Finals in Sacramento, and a chance to compete in the national competition in Washington, D.C.
The California state champion receives:
$200 cash prize and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
$500 for their school to purchase literary materials
An opportunity to compete at the National Finals for college scholarship funds
Visit poetryoutloud.org for detailed information and to check out POL action across the country.
2021 State Champions
DELALI BRUCE
First Place
Santa Clara County
EDEN GETAHUN
Runner Up
Sacramento County
ARJUN ‘RJ’ MEDHEKAR
Third Place
Santa Cruz County