Emily Enyame, a junior at Westerville Central High School, recently qualified at regionals and is advancing to the State Finals in the Poetry Out Loud competition. She recited two poems from memory, Author’s Prayer and Worth. At States, she will recite three poems – those two and an additional pre-20th-century poem, Maid’s Lament. The winner of the State contest will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Nationals, where the first place prize is $20,000.
Ohio’s 2019 Poetry Out Loud State Finals will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 8, at the King Arts Complex, which is located at 867 Mt. Vernon Avenue in Columbus. The Poetry Out Loud National Finals will be held from April 29-May 1 in Washington, D.C. Learn more at www.poetryoutloud.org.
Poetry Out Loud (POL) encourages students to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary heritage and contemporary life. Created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, Poetry Out Loud is administered in partnership with the State Arts Agencies of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
Teachers, librarians, or administrators register their high schools each year with the Ohio Arts Council and organize contests with one class, several classes, or a whole school. Contests, workshops, and multi-media program materials, including curricula, are free. Poetry Out Loud is aligned with Common Core and National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) standards.
For further information, please contact Amy Farris at farrisa@westerville.k12.oh.us .