Poetry Out Loud 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. Poetry Out Loud is a partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, Poetry Foundation, and the state and jurisdictional arts agencies.
Since 2005, Poetry Out Loud has grown to reach more than 4.1 million students and 68,000 teachers from 17,000 schools and organizations in every state, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. All students in grades 9-12 are eligible.
2023 District 3/4 Winners
National Anthology Recitation:
1. Nalin Reed, Alabama School of Fine Arts
2. Rishab Samant, Vestavia Hills High School
3. Elizabeth McCure, Alabama School of Fine Arts
Original Poetry Recitation:
1. Abigail White, Indian Springs School
2. Elizabeth McClure, Alabama School of Fine Arts
3. Sarah Khamis, Indian Springs School
Social Issue Poetry Recitation:
1. Elizabeth McClure, Alabama School of Fine Arts
2. Aarvi Shah, Indian Springs School
3. William Bittner, Alabama School of Fine Arts
Judges for the day were Al Elliott, Salaam Green and Alina Stefanescu. Martie Sample was Accuracy Judge, Sandra Wolfe was Prompter and Reagan Fryer served as Scorekeeper.
State Competition Results in Montgomery:
District 3/4 had two students place in two categories!
Elizabeth “Egg” McClure from the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham placed 2nd in the Social Issue Original Composition competition AND placed 2nd in the National Anthology Recitation competition.
Nalin Reed from the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham placed 3rd in the National Anthology Recitation competition.
Overall, we had 9 students from our region participate in the state competition across all three categories (Original Composition, Social Issue Original Composition, and National Anthology Recitation).
Poetry Out Loud is a program made possible by a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation.
Visit poetryoutloud.org
