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High school students and teachers, Poetry Out Loud registration opens Oct. 1

CARSON CITY, Nevada — High school students can learn about great poetry, both classic and contemporary, through the 2022 Nevada Poetry Out Loud program now underway and organized by the Nevada Arts Council. Registration runs Oct. 1-Dec. 3 for the contest, which is part of the National Poetry Out Loud competition sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation.

“Poetry Out Loud inspires interest and appreciation of poetry through memorization and recitation,” Maryjane Dorofachuk, Poetry Out Loud state coordinator, said. “Along the way, students gain public speaking skills, gain self-confidence and learn about their literary heritage.”

Nevada students in grades 9-12 in public, private, charter, parochial and alternative schools, and home school associations, are invited to participate. Teachers also can register and will receive a guide and multi-media resources to augment regular poetry curriculum. District competitions will be held in early spring 2022, with the state finals in March in Reno.

The Nevada state champion wins $200, and his or her school will receive $500 to purchase poetry materials. The state champion also will compete in the Poetry Out Loud National Finals April 25-27 in Washington, D.C.

Teachers and students can learn more about Nevada Poetry Out Loud, including a look at the winners of the 2021 Nevada state competition, on the Nevada Arts Council website, NVArtsCouncil.org (click on the “Arts Learning” link. Potential participants also may contact Maryjane Dorofachuk at the Nevada Arts Council, 702-486-3738 or mdorofachuk@nevadaculture.org.

EDITORS: For photos of the 2020 Nevada State Poetry Out Loud winners, click here

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The Nevada Arts Council is part of the Nevada Division of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. Its mission is to enrich the cultural life of the state through leadership that preserves, supports, strengthens and makes accessible excellence in the arts for all Nevadans.