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    Poetry Out Loud

    Poetry Out Loud (POL) is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country.

     

    This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life. Poetry Out Loud is a partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, Poetry Foundation, and the state and jurisdictional arts agencies.

    Contact the PCA About Poetry Out Loud

    Program Overview

    Poetry Out Loud (POL) encourages the nation’s youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. More than 4.2 million high school students from more than 18,000 high schools across the United States have discovered the magic of beautiful language through Poetry Out Loud.

     

    The PCA collaborates with 14 regional partner organizations to administer regional competitions across the commonwealth.

     

    Poetry Out Loud is part of the PCA's ongoing efforts to foster educational excellence for Pennsylvania's students through participation in the creative process. 

     

    Poetry Out Loud was created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. Poetry Out Loud is administered in partnership with the state arts agencies of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. 

    The 2024 Pennsylvania Poetry Out Loud State (POL) Championship took place in person on March 4 at the State Museum of Pennsylvania. 

    This year's 14 regional finalists were part of the more than 3,000 high school students who participated in the competition in 73 schools across the Commonwealth. 

    Sulette Lange, a junior from Hazleton Area Arts and Humanities Academy is Pennsylvania's 2024 Poetry Out Loud state champion.  Lange will go on to represent Pennsylvania at the national finals in Washington, D.C., which begin on April 30, 2024.

    Pennsylvania's 2024 Poetry Out Loud state runner-up is Evan Wang, a junior at Upper Merion High School in Montgomery County.

    Additional Information 

    Judges for the state and regional finals include performers, poets and cultural and business leaders from across the state. The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) sponsors the statewide competition along with its regional partners and arts organizations.

     

    2024 Pennsylvania Poetry Out Loud Championship Results

    The 2024 Pennsylvania Poetry Out Loud State (POL) Championship took place in person on March 4 at the State Museum of Pennsylvania. 

    This year's 14 regional finalists were part of the more than 3,000 high school students who participated in the competition in 73 schools across the Commonwealth. 

    Sulette Lange, a junior from Hazleton Area Arts and Humanities Academy is Pennsylvania's 2024 Poetry Out Loud state champion.  Lange will go on to represent Pennsylvania at the national finals in Washington, D.C., which begin on April 30, 2024.

    Pennsylvania's 2024 Poetry Out Loud state runner-up is Evan Wang, a junior at Upper Merion High School in Montgomery County.

     

     

    Additional Information 

    Judges for the state and regional finals include performers, poets and cultural and business leaders from across the state. The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) sponsors the statewide competition along with its regional partners and arts organizations.