Registration Open For 2015 Poetry Out Loud Competition

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Arts Commission has announced it will coordinate the 10th annual Poetry Out Loud Indiana State Finals competition on February 21, 2015 in Indianapolis.

Indiana high schools are encouraged to participate in the annual poetry recitation contest sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. 

Registration is open, and schools must sign up in advance to take part in the competition. For more information on how to register, contact Sarah Fronczek, at sfronczek@iac.in.gov or call (317) 232-1274. More information about Poetry Out Loud is available online.  Registration will remain open until November 21.

Initial competitions are held at the high school level to determine one student to represent the school in state competition. There are no registration costs for high schools interested in participating, and all resource materials will be provided. 

The winner of the state championship will represent Indiana at the 2014/2015 Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington, D.C. in late April. Emma Libersky, Plymouth High School, Plymouth, was the 2013/2014 Indiana State Champion, and the first person to earn that title in successive years.

A total of $50,000 in scholarship awards and school stipends will be awarded at the Poetry Out Loud National Finals, with a $20,000 college scholarship awarded to the national champion.

The state champion receives a $200 cash prize and an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete in the Poetry Out Loud National Finals. The state champion’s school receives a $500 stipend to purchase poetry books.

The National Poetry Out Loud competition began in 2006. The program is designed to encourage youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance, which helps students master public speaking skills, build self-esteem, and internalize an appreciation for American literary heritage.