Get Loud with Poetry Out Loud

“Poetry Out Loud has helped me write with voice and expression, especially in the poetry that I have written.”

Get Lit! Programs is once again proud to be hosting the regional 2010 Poetry Out Loud competition at the Early Bird Room of the Davenport Hotel. On February 5^th at 6:30 pm, high school students will compete in this national recitation contest by performing both classical and contemporary poetry. Poetry Out Loud celebrates the oral history of poetry while giving high school students valuable experience in public speaking.

Much like the national spelling bee, Poetry Out Loud starts in area high schools throughout the country. In the Spokane area, high schools entering the competition this year include: Central Valley High School, CBE Alternative Programs, Deer Park High School, East Valley High School, Havermale High School, Mead High School, Phoenix Alternative High School, and Okanogan High School. At the regional competition, two students will be selected to go on to the state finals, held on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at South Puget Sound Community College campus. Organizers hope students from the regional competition will make it past the state competition and make it all the way to the national finals.

Last year, Kevin Ma, a sophomore from Mead High School, won $100 and a $200 stipend for his school by placing as a runner-up at the state competition. Many of the students commented on their newfound appreciation for poetry, and encouraged others to get involved. “I would definitely recommend Poetry Out Loud,” said Kevin. “I think it provides students the opportunity to experience poetry as a whole and provides the flexibility for every student to find poems that they personally enjoy.” Kevin performed Shirley Geok-Lin Lim's "Learning to Love American" and "In the Desert" by Stephen Crane.

Check out this video, created by students, reflecting on Poetry Out Loud. We'll see you February 5th at the Davenport at 6pm!