Current and Past Champions

Tajah-Rayne Davise, 2019 State Champion

Tajah-Rayne Davise from Calumet High School was named the 2019 Poetry Out Loud State Champion for Michigan after completing three rounds of the annual recitation competition at the Lansing Crowne Plaza on Friday, March 1, and Saturday, March 2. 

The 2019 first runner-up is David DeBacker of Detroit Catholic Central High School, second runner-up is Grace Garver of Petoskey High School, and third runner-up is Soja Kureekkattil, of Rochester High School.

On April 30 and May 1, 2019, Davise represented Michigan at the National Finals for Poetry Out Loud in Washington, D.C. 

Read the full press release from the 2019 Poetry Out Loud State Finals here.

Michigan Poetry Out Loud Champions

• 2019: Tajah-Rayne Davise, Calumet High School, Calumet

• 2018: Grace Garver, Petoskey High School, Petoskey
• 2017: MaryKate Wright, Owosso High School, Owosso
• 2016: Lyndon DeFoe, University high School Academy, Southfield
• 2015: Coral Brantly, Petoskey High School
• 2014: Matthew Webb, Cass Technical High School, Detroit
• 2013: Richard Wu, Forest Hills Central High School, Grand Rapids
• 2012: Randi Laundre, Alba High School, Alba
• 2011: Harron Atkins, Cass Technical High School, Detroit
• 2010: Lauren Treiber, Forest Hills Central High School, Grand Rapids
• 2009: Daniel Bellomy, Cass Technical High School, Detroit
• 2008: Charles White, Forest Hills Central High School, Grand Rapids
• 2007: Sarah Harris, Holt High School
• 2006: Travis Walter, Holt High School