Statewide Poetry Out Loud kickoff is Nov. 16 in state capital

Nov. 12, 2015

Nevada’s premier poetry competition kicks off the 2016 season with the first Poetry Out Loud district competition set for Nov. 16 at Carson High School in the dynamic program that is structured similarly to the National Spelling Bee, but focuses on literary heritage through memorization and performance of classic and contemporary works. The public is encouraged to attend to support the students in the free event.

The Poetry Out Loud state champion earns $1,000, wins $1,000 for his or her school to support literary programs and travels to Washington, D.C. to compete for $50,000 in scholarships and school prizes at the National Poetry Out Loud Finals. Those who place second and third at the Nevada State Finals receive $500 each and $500 for their schools.

In 2015, thousands of students, teachers and coaches participated in Nevada’s Poetry Out Loud. Last year’s state champion Dominique Groffman of Douglas County represented Nevada at the national finals.

Preparing for the competition, students get the chance to sharpen their poetic skills and try new things.  Poetry Out Loud supports their efforts. Registration for all other counties is open to all high school-aged entrants, Nevada public, private, charter, parochial and alternative schools and home school associations through Dec. 1.

The Nevada Arts Council, along with its partner the Nevada Department of cosponsor Poetry Out Loud, made possible through funding and leadership of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. Again, for 2016, Nevada Poetry Out Loud receives generous support from NV Energy.

Poetry Out Loud begins at the local level as students learn about, memorize and finally present out loud poetry from the website, www.poetryoutloud.org. Participants advance from school to district competitions and then to the Nevada State Finals, where the stakes are high.

Starting at the classroom level, teachers are provided with free multimedia curriculum materials – a Learning Recitation  audio guide, a teachers’ guide, posters and comprehensive website, http://www.poetryoutloud.org all aligned to national standards – to augment their regular poetry curriculum with poetry recitation and a school-level competition.  The student winner and a chaperone from each participating school district receive support to attend the state finals March 19 in Reno.

Teachers are invited to find out more about 2016 Nevada Poetry Out Loud and to register to participate by Dec. 1 at the Nevada Arts Council’s website, nac.nevadaculture.org or contact Maryjane Dorofachuk at (702) 486-3738 or mdorofachuk@NevadaCulture.org.