Poetry Out Loud, a poetry recitation contest sponsored by the Kentucky Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, celebrates its 10th year in Kentucky Schools in 2015.
The contest starts at the classroom level. Winners advance to school-wide competition, then to the state competition, Feb. 19 at the Grand Theatre in Frankfort. Fifteen Kentucky schools, including three that are new to the Poetry Out Loud program, will compete for the chance to represent Kentucky at the Poetry Out Loud national finals April 28-29 in Washington, D.C.
Storytellers, poets and stage performers from across the state will be visiting each of the participating schools to mentor students on how to improve their recitations.
"Poetry Out Loud continues to build in popularity each year, and we hope to continue the momentum we've built for it here in Kentucky," said Lori Meadows, arts council executive director. "We also hope to add to the number of professional mentors helping students prepare their pieces. This process gives the added benefit of exposing students to professionals in the creative industry."
Susan Ryan, the Gifted and Talented Program coordinator for Elizabethtown Independent Schools, which includes first-time Poetry Out Loud participant Elizabethtown High School, said Poetry Out Loud helps students find their creative voice, especially among students who never thought they could perform.
"Anytime we give students a creative product, they go crazy with it," Ryan said. "Teachers are going to see some kid come to life in Poetry Out Loud who, on any other day of the week, would not be inclined to speak up in class."
Participating schools are:
Boyd County High School, Ashland
Grant County High School, Dry Ridge
Elizabethtown High School, Elizabethtown *
Western Hills High School, Frankfort
Franklin County High School, Frankfort
West Carter High School, Grayson *
East Ridge High School, Lick Creek
Butler Traditional High School, Louisville
Graves County High School, Mayfield *
Hart County High School, Munfordville
McCracken County High School, Paducah
Phelps Junior and Senior High Schools, Phelps
Pike County Central High School, Pikeville
Allen County-Scottsville High School, Scottsville
George Rogers Clark High School, Winchester
* - denotes a school new to the Poetry Out Loud program in 2015
The winner of the state finals receives $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip with an adult chaperone to Washington, to compete for the national championship. The state winner's school receives a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. The first runner-up receives $100, with $200 going to his or her school library.
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, fosters environments for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.
(story provided by Kentucky Arts Council)
