Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation competition and educational program that encourages students to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance. This free program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about our literary heritage. Students also have the opportunity to compete for a expenses paid trip to Washington DC and over $50,000 in scholarships and prizes. How Do I Get Involved? Teachers interested in having their classes participate register by completing School/Teacher Registration Form by Nov. 20, 2018. Once you are registered, your Regional Coordinator will inform you of deadlines and date competition. Winners of the regional competitions are invited to compete in the State Finals in Salina, Kansas March 2, 2019. Students interested in vying for “at-large” regional competition positions, please have a sponsoring teacher submit the School/Teacher registration form by Nov. 20. Schools that hold competitions will receive the first registrations. Students who register from schools where they are the only contestant will fill the remaining open positions. Singleton registrations will be accepted on case by case basis. POETRY OUT LOUD encourages the nation's youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. POL helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage. POL is a great way to bring poetry alive for both students and teachers. All Kansas high schools are invited to participate. POL is free of charge! Students compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships and prizes. POL meets many Kansas ELA and Theatre standards, as well as NCTE standards. KCAIC provides personalized assistance to help teachers get started and carry out the program. For more information: Visit POL website Kansas Poetry Out Loud Facebook Page Kansas Poetry Out Loud Twitter 2018-19 Teacher's Guide Contact: Deb Kohn, Kansas Poetry Out Loud Coordinator debkohn@gmail.com 2018-19 Kansas Regions Region 1 ~ Regional Coordinator: Cynthia Roth, Olathe crothos@olatheschools.org Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Lyon, Marshall, Morris, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Riley, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Johnson, Wyandotte Region 2 ~ Regional Coordinator: Cheryl Germann, Tipton cherylgermann@gmail.com Barton, Clay, Cloud, Cheyenne, Decatur, Dickinson, Ellis, Ellsworth, Gove, Graham, Geary, Jewell, Lincoln, Logan, Mitchell, Morris, Norton, Ottawa, Osborne, Phillips, Rawlins, Republic, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Saline, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Thomas, Trego, Wallace, Washington Region 3 ~ Regional Coordinator: Stacy Chestnut, Wichita schestnut@usd259.net Barber, Butler, Chase, Clark, Comanche, Cowley, Edwards, Finney, Ford, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Hamilton, Harper, Harvey, Haskell, Hodgeman, Kearny, Kingman, Kiowa, Lane, Marion, McPherson, Meade, Morton, Ness, Pawnee, Pratt, Reno, Rice, Scott, Sedgwick, Seward, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens, Sumner, Wichita Region 4 ~ Regional Coordinator: Julie Aikins, Chanute jaikins711@gmail.com Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Elk, Franklin, Greenwood, Labette, Linn, Miami, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson, Woodson Kansas Past Winners 2018: Bella L’Heureux - Blue Valley High School 2017: Sarah Katsiyiannis - Tipton Catholic High School 2016: Sarah Katsiyiannis - Tipton Catholic High School 2015: Leanne Chun - Olathe South High School 2014: Leanne Chun - Olathe South High School 2013: Aaron Brown - Shawnee Mission West High School 2012: Cody Keener - Baldwin High School 2011: Casha Gloria Mills - Shawnee Mission North High School 2010: Casha Gloria Mills - Shawnee Mission North High School 2009: Madeline Rogers - Baldwin High School 2008: Madeline Rogers - Baldwin High School 2007: Patrick Kuhn - Salina Central High School 2006: Andrew Toburen - Cair Paravel Latin School, Topeka