Saturday, October 12, 2024
The Texas Commission on the Arts is calling all high schools and organizations across the state to join in a unique and exciting opportunity—the Poetry Out Loud program. With fall fast approaching, educators are encouraged to sign up and help their students dive into the beautiful world of poetry. The deadline is approaching, so it’s time to act fast!
Poetry Out Loud is more than just a poetry recitation contest. It’s a national program presented by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, designed to bring the power of the spoken word to life. Whether your students are seasoned performers or just dipping their toes into public speaking, this program offers an incredible opportunity for growth. Students memorize and recite poems in competition, honing their public speaking skills, boosting their self-confidence, and connecting to some of the most influential voices in literary history.
How Does Poetry Out Loud Work?
Once schools or organizations sign up, they will receive free resources, including materials to help guide students in their poetry selections and recitation preparation. The goal? Each participating high school or organization will host its own competition to select a winner by December 15, 2024. From there, the competition only heats up!
Those school and organization winners will advance to the Texas state competition in February 2025. The stakes are high, with participants battling for not only the top spot but also incredible rewards. The state winner and runner-up will receive cash prizes, and their schools will be awarded funds to stock their libraries with even more poetry books. The state champion will go on to represent Texas at the national competition, where they will compete against other top performers from across the country.
At the national level, the rewards become even more impressive. The contest offers a $50,000 scholarship pool for the winning students and additional cash awards for schools or organizations. This is a fantastic opportunity for high schoolers to showcase their talent, represent their community, and potentially earn significant scholarships for their future.
More Than Just Memorizing Poems
What makes Poetry Out Loud so special is how it transforms students. Public speaking can be a daunting skill to master, but this program provides a supportive and creative outlet for students to express themselves. Learning to perform poetry from heart isn’t just about standing on stage—it's about connecting with language, engaging with meaning, and finding your voice.
Through the contest, students develop their ability to communicate, refine their presentation techniques, and, most importantly, learn how to share their emotions and perspectives through the timeless medium of poetry. Many former contestants have walked away with not only a trophy but also a newfound love for literature and performance.
Sign Up Today!
The Texas Commission on the Arts is eager to see new schools and organizations join in on the fun this year. If you’re a teacher, now’s the time to get involved! Interested educators should sign up soon to receive materials and begin preparing their students for this one-of-a-kind opportunity. The deadline for holding a school or organizational competition is December 15, 2024, so don’t wait! For more information or to sign up, go to https://www.poetryoutloud.org/
Let’s raise a generation of confident, articulate, and creative young Texans. Poetry Out Loud is not just a contest—it’s an invitation to find your voice and let it soar.
micky@hcnews.com
