Council Seeks High Schools for Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest

Attention high school teachers and students: Join the thousands of Michigan high school students competing for scholarships and prizes totaling $50,000 in the Poetry Out Loud national poetry recitation contest. 

"Poetry Out Loud is a really great opportunity because it changes the way you look at arts and humanities," said Kelly Stec, first runner-up in the 2010 and 2011 Poetry Out Loud state finals. "It gave me an edge in all of my language classes, and it helps build excellent student-teacher relationships. The program was a defining element of my high-school career." 

This fall, Stec began her first year at Michigan State University, where she is pursuing a career in medicine with a double major in theater. More recently, she accepted an internship with the Michigan Humanities Council, where she will help promote Poetry Out Loud throughout the state, and encourage teachers and students to join the initiative.

To participate, high school teachers must register their school, incorporate poetry recitation into the curriculum (at their discretion), host a school-level competition, and select a student to represent their school at the state finals. The state champion will receive an expenses-paid trip to the national finals in Washington, D.C. Print and online resources are provided; this is a free program.

Poetry Out Loud has reached more than 15,000 Michigan students since its inception in 2006. Each year, it captures the imagination of an amazing array of students in all corners of the state.

“Poetry Out Loud has given voice to a number of students at our school who have not yet found one in any other way," said Warren Barker, a teacher at Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte.

This year, in addition to competing for the state title, the top four state finalists will also receive scholarships to attend the 2012 Michigan Youth Arts Festival, which showcases the finest artistic talent from Michigan high schools. The Festival will take place May 10-12 in Kalamazoo.

Visit Poetry Out Loud online for more details, or download the registration form and fax, mail, or email it to the Council by Nov. 18. The 2011-12 contest schedule and additional details about are available online. For more about the national contest, visit the national Poetry Out Loud website.

Contact Gregory Parker (gparker@mihumanities.org) with questions or for more information.

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