Indiana Poetry Out Loud Competition
Arts Commission Invites Indiana High Schools to Participate in 2013 Poetry Out Loud Competition
The Indiana Arts Commission encourages Indiana high schools to participate in the eighth annual Poetry Out Loud poetry recitation contest sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Poetry Foundation. 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 in the Indiana Poetry Out Loud competition, and all resource materials will be provided.
Registration & Deadlines
School entries for the 2013 competition are now being accepted. Schools must register in adance to take part in the Poetry Out Loud competition. Preliminary school competitions should be completed by February 1, 2013. For additional information, please contact Susan Britsch at sbritsch@iac.in.gov or 317-232-1281.
Download a PDF registration form here.
Prizes
The winner at the state level receives:
- $200 cash prize
- All-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. to compete at the National Finals competition on April 29 & 30, 2013.
The state winner's school receives:
- $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books.
The state runner up receives:
- $100, with $200 for his/her school library.
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 award for the National Champion.
Broad Ripple High School student crowned Indiana’s 2012 Poetry Out Loud champion
The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) recently announced that Jordan Mather-Licht, a student at Broad Ripple High School, Indianapolis, won top honors in the 2012 Indiana 
Poetry Out Loud recitation contest.
Jordan was chosen from a field of 17 finalists from Indiana schools participating in this year’s competition held February 25 at Historic Landmarks Center Grand Hall in Indianapolis.
Students representing high schools from around Indiana competed to determine the state champion. The student crowned State Champion receives a $200 cash prize and an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete at the National Finals May 13 - 15. The National Championships feature competitors from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. The State Champion’s school receives a $500 stipend to purchase poetry books.
The National Poetry Out Loud competition, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and The Poetry Foundation, 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.
Finalists for the National Championship will compete for scholarship prizes totaling $50,000, with the National Champion claiming $20,000 in scholarship funding.
2012 Indiana Poetry Out Loud - State Competition
The students and schools who competed in the 2012 state competition are:
Sean Brown, Pinnacle School (Bloomington)
Jessica Caldwell, Columbus Signature Academy New Tech (Columbus)
Lydia Costello, La Lumiere School (La Porte)
Monica Dollive, Homestead High School (Fort Wayne)
Tyler Hutchinson, Pike High School (Indianapolis) - 3rd Place
Abigail Jackson, Columbus Christian School (Columbus)
Amanda Jacob, Forest Park Jr./Sr. High School (Ferdinand)
Stephanie Johnson, Floyd Central High School (Floyds Knobs)
Aaron Lucky, Anderson Preparatory Academy (Anderson)
Connor Maginn, Madison Consolidated High School (Madison) - 2nd Place
Vanessa Malagon, Warsaw Community High School (Warsaw)
Shelby Marshall, Warren Central High School (Indianapolis)
Jordan Mather-Licht, Broad Ripple High School (Indianapolis) - Champion
Kate Peters, Plymouth High School (Plymouth)
Franklyn Salzman, Carmel High School (Carmel)
Nicole Schapker, Signature High School (Evansville)
Donovan Whitney, Lawrence North High School (Indianapolis)
About the Indiana Poetry Out Loud Competition
The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation have once again partnered with the Indiana Arts Commission to support Poetry Out Loud, a program which encourages the nation's youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. This exciting, FREE program helps high school students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage. Classrooms, clubs, and groups from all over the nation participate in Poetry Out Loud.
Competitions are first held at the school level to decide the student that will represent their school at the state finals. The state champion will go on to represent Indiana at the Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington D.C.!
Schools interested in participating can download the entry form below and return it to Susan Britsch via fax at (317) 232-5595 or mail to Susan's attention at 100 N. Senate Ave., Room N505, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Questions? Email Susan Britsch for more information.
Poetry Out Loud Flyer | Poetry Out Loud Registration Form
How Can Schools Get Involved?
Any public or private high school in the state is welcome and encouraged to participate. Over 250,000 students are expected to participate in the program this year. For more information, contact Susan Britsch, Community Development & Arts Education Coordinator, at sbritsch@iac.in.gov or 317-232-1281.
This Event Made Possible By:
Related Links
- 2011 Indiana State Competition and Winners
- 2010 Indiana State Competition and Winners
- University High School of Indiana Student Wins State Poetry Out Loud Contest
- Arts Commission Invites Indiana High Schools to Participate in 2010 Poetry Out Loud Competition
- Broad Ripple High School Student Wins State Poetry Out Loud Contest
- 2009 Indiana State Competition and Winners
- Poetry Out Loud 2009 Competition Announcement
- 2008 Indiana State Competition and Winners
- Arts in Education Granting Program
