Poetry Out Loud

Poetry Out Loud (POL) is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life. Students also have the opportunity to compete for an expenses paid trip to Washington DC and over $50,000 in scholarships and prizes.

School Competitions & At-Large Entries

Poetry Out Loud begins at the local level, in classrooms and schools. Kansas Regional Coordinators provide information to schools, help organizers structure the competition, and answer any questions that you might have about getting involved in Poetry Out Loud. Local winners advance to regional competition.

Schools and at-large entrants regional contest registration deadlines vary, so please contact your regional or state coordinator for dates and details. Contact information is below.

• Competitors must be enrolled in grades 9-12, with an exception made for 8th-grade students participating in a 9th-12th-grade class.
• Students must either advance through the classroom/school competition format or be entered as an at-large entry. At-large entries are for someone whose school does not have a competition or is a home-school student. Only one student may advance from each school.
• Students are required to prepare and recite two poems for school competitions.
• Poems must come from the Poetry Out Loud Anthology.

Regional Competitions

Regional competitions are held in the winter each year. In 2023 these events were in Olathe, Hays, Wichita, and Girard.

Competition reminders/FAQ:

• Students are required to recite two poems of their choice from the POL Anthology.
• If a regional contest has 2 – 3 contestants, 1 student will advance to the state final.
• If 4 – 6 contestants are at the regional contest, 2 will advance to the state final.
• If 7 or more contestants compete at regional, 3 students will advance to the state final.

State Finals

The 2023 State Final was held March 11, 2023 at Washburn University’s Andrew J. and Georgia Neese Gray Theatre, also recorded and aired by KTWU (PBS).

Format

• State Finalists must have three poems ready to recite.
  • One poem must be 25 lines or fewer.
  • One poem must be pre-20th century.
  • One poem may meet both the 25 lines or fewer & pre-20th century criteria.
• The first two recitations of all competitors will be judged in opening rounds.
• The top 3 competitors will then have their third recitation judged.
• The winner will advance to the national finals.
• The state winner will receive $200. The winner’s school will receive $500 for poetry materials.
  The runner-up will receive $100; his or her school will receive $200 for poetry materials.