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Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest

2012 State Champion Kristen Dupard from Ridgeland High School

About the Program

Poetry Out Loud is a free program created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation for students in grades 9 through 12. Since 2005, it has helped students in all fifty states, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and improve their reading comprehension scores while learning about their literary heritage.

Through the Poetry Out Loud curriculum, teachers guide students to a deeper, richer understanding of the power of language and literature by helping them develop a personal relationship with great poems. An added benefit is that Poetry Out Loud offers all students the opportunity to compete for awards, prizes, and recognition.

Register now for MSPOL 2013! The registration deadline is Friday, November 2, and all In-School Contests must be held before December 21. POL 2013 materials will be mailed to registered schools after September 1, but will be available online before that date.

 

Watch the MSPOL 2012 State Finals Contest on MPB: Sunday, May 6, at 6:00 P.M.

2013 Registration Form

Who Can Participate?

Any school or homeschool group in Mississippi that teaches students in grades nine (9) through twelve (12) can register to participate in Poetry Out Loud. Public, private, parochial, alternative, independent, and Christian schools -- as well as homeschool groups or organizations and school-sponsored afterschool programs -- are encouraged to participate. Individual students, individual homeschools, and community groups or programs (clubs, Centers, etc.) cannot register to participate, but are welcome to use Poetry Out Loud as an activity.

Contest Structure and Awards

Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest begins at the classroom level. Winners advance to school-wide contest, Regional Contests, State Finals and, ultimately, to the National Contest held in Washington, D.C.

The State Champion receives $200 and an all-expense-paid trip
to Washington to compete in the National Contest. The Champion's school receives a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry materials. The runner-up receives $100, with $200 going to his or her school library. At the National Contest, contestants can win $1000, $5000, $10,000 or the grand prize of $20,000.

Program materials and schedule

Schools that register to participate in Poetry Out Loud will receive free curriculum materials include print and online poetry anthologies, a teachers guide to help instructors teach recitation and performance, an audio CD featuring distinguished actors and writers, a video DVD of "best practices" examples of student recititaions, promotional and media guides, a comprehensive Website, and support from the Mississippi Arts Commission and the POL State Coordinator.  Schools that choose not to register may still access the Poetry Out Loud website and use the materials available there -- but they will not be invited to participate in the Regional, State, and National Recitation Contests.

For more information on Poetry Out Loud, email poetryoutloud@arts.state.ms.us or contact Poetry Out Loud State Coordinator, Ken Bolinsky, at 601/327-1294, or MAC Arts Education Director, Kim Whitt, at 601/359-6037

Frequently Asked Questions

2012 Contest

The 2012 contest was held on Thursday, March 22nd at Mississippi Public Broadcasting in Jackson.  Nine contestants from around the state participated and did an outstanding job representing their schools and communities. 

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