Poetry Out Loud is a national program designed to inspire high school students to engage with great poetry through exploration, memorization, and performance. The program encourages students to deepen their appreciation of poetry and develop public speaking skills. Students compete in school programs and have the opportunity to advance to the national finals in Washington, D.C., where winners are awarded monetary prizes provided by the Poetry Foundation.
Scholarship Details
- Program designed to promote poetry appreciation and performance
- Open to students in grades 9–12 (8th-grade students may participate if enrolled in a 9th–12th-grade class)
- Winners awarded monetary prizes by the Poetry Foundation
- Prizes are not transferable
- State champions and runners-up need a valid tax identification number or social security number to receive prizes
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to students in grades 9–12 (8th graders may participate if enrolled in a 9th–12th-grade class)
- Home-schooled students may participate by competing at a local school or with other home-schooled students (at the school's discretion)
- A student must compete in a lower-level competition before advancing to state finals
Application Process
- Check with your school to confirm participation in the Poetry Out Loud program
- Register with your school’s program or your state’s coordinator if you are home-schooled
- Prepare and memorize selected poems for competition
- Compete at the school level and advance through local and state competitions
- Winners at the state level advance to the national finals in Washington, D.C.
Poetry Out Loud offers an exciting opportunity for students to engage with the arts, develop confidence in public speaking, and potentially win national recognition and monetary prizes. If you are passionate about poetry and performance, check with your school or state coordinator to get involved!