Poetry Out Loud is a poetry recitation competition that encourages middle and high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance.
The Idaho Commission on the Arts joins other state arts agencies in partnering with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation to support Poetry Out Loud.
Idaho schools wishing to participate must be registered by a member of that school’s staff.
Upon acceptance of a school registration, teachers will receive free dynamic teaching tools that will invoke students’ excitement about literature and poetry recitation.
Curriculum materials include the online poetry anthology, lesson plans and promotional and media guides.
December 8, 2018, is the deadline for high schools to apply. On February 24, school finalists register for state finals, held March 10 in Boise, and the winner there will advance to the national finals in Washington DC April 23-25.
Each state level winner receives $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to compete for the national championship. The state winner’s school receives a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books.
A runner-up in each state will receive $100, with $200 for his or her school library. A total of $50,000 in scholarships and school stipends will be awarded at the National Finals.
For more information, contact Sarah Poe, Idaho Poetry Out Loud Coordinator, at (208) 501-5966 or sarahpoepoetry@gmail.com.