Poetry Out Loud
Poetry Out Loud is a national competition that encourages youth to engage with great poetry through memorization and recitation. The program helps students develop public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and deepen their understanding of literary heritage.
365,000+ student participants annually
Launched nationwide in 2006 after successful pilot programs in Washington, D.C. and Chicago.
Sponsors
- National Endowment for the Arts
- Poetry Foundation
- Alabama State Council on the Arts
- The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa
Region 3–4 Coordinator: Autumn Fuller, Director of Education for The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa
2025 Poetry Out Loud Winners
Original Composition
1st Abigail White, Indian Springs School
(2nd Place at State)
2nd Journey Harrill, Vestavia Hills High School
3rd Aarvi Shah, Indian Springs School
(3rd Place at State)
Social Issue Composition
1st Allie Rezek, Alabama School of Fine Arts
2nd Samantha Hurst, Mortimer Jordan High School
3rd Aarvi Shah, Indian Springs School
(1st Place at State)
National Anthology Recitation
1st Sanjiya Parker, Paul W. Bryant High School
2nd Sidney Grace Cullwell, Vestavia Hills High School
(Top 5 at State)
3rd Samantha Hurst, Mortimer Jordan High School
(3rd Place at State)
Other Students Advancing to State
- AJ Powell, Mortimer Jordan High School
- Markhia Ivory, Paul W. Bryant High School (Top 5 at State)
- Carrie Ella Smith, Vestavia Hills High School
- Sasha Cebanu, Vestavia Hills High School (2nd Place at State)
- Gabryelle Minor, Paul W. Bryant High School
Poetry Out Loud is a program made possible through a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation.
Learn more: poetryoutloud.org