High School Students Invited to Participate in Poetry Out Loud Competition

Alameda County high school students are invited to enter Alameda County’s 4th annual Poetry Out Loud competition, which will be held on Feb. 19 in Oakland.

High schools that are interested in participating should submit the Poetry Out Loud participation information by Jan. 31. Contact Maureen Hurley at mohurleyart@gmail.com.

The winners of the high school will advance to the County competition on Feb. 19. The County winner advances to the State competition in Sacramento in late March, and ultimately to the National Finals in late April.

County level participants will receive prizes: 1st place winner prize is $200; 2nd place winner prize is $100; All other participants will receive $25. Also, $100 will be awarded to 1st place County winner’s school department that facilitated the student’s participation. 

The winner at the State level will receive $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C. to compete for the National championship. The State winner's school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. 

A total of $50,000 in awards and school stipends at the National Finals will be awarded to the winners.

Poetry Out Loud is a program that celebrates youth and poetry. Click here for more information.

Watch: 2013 Poetry Out Loud State Finals