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Current and Past Champions
Grace Garver, 2018 State Champion
Grace Garver from Petoskey High School was named the 2018 Michigan Poetry Out Loud State Champion after a day-long recitation competition at the Lansing Crowne Plaza on Friday, March 2, 2018.
Garver took top honors among 39 student competitors and recited “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus in her final round. First runner-up was Jaxon Anderson of Pentwater Public Schools, second runner-up was Avery Fessenden of Leland Public Schools, and third runner-up was India Pruette of Saline High School.
From April 23 through April 25, 2018, Garver represented Michigan at the National Finals for Poetry Out Loud in Washington, D.C. Video of her recitations is available via Poetry Out Loud’s YouTube channel.
Read the full press release from the 2018 Poetry Out Loud State Finals here.
Michigan Poetry Out Loud Champions
- 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