Poetry Out Loud

Newsflash from the Kentucky Arts Council:

FRANKFORT, KY � Barbara Gooding, a junior at Western Hills High School in Frankfort and “Poetry Out Loud” state champion emerged as second-place winner among 53 state champions which included all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Gooding received a $10,000 award for her achievement at the fourth “Poetry Out Loud” National Finals held on April 27-28, 2009 at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Kentucky champions have been national finalists in three of the four years of competition.

“Poetry Out Loud” National Champion William Farley of Arlington, Virginia received a $20,000 award and a $500 stipend to his school for the purchase of poetry books.

The “Poetry Out Loud” National Finals are the result of efforts of many partners. The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation have contributed support for administration of the program, educational materials, and prizes for both state and National Finals. The Kentucky Arts Council implemented the program, including coaching from artists in the “Arts Education Roster,” in 28 high schools statewide. The “Poetry Out Loud” National Finals was administered by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.

“Poetry Out Loud” seeks to foster the next generation of literary readers by building on the resurgence of poetry as an oral art form. Through “Poetry Out Loud,” students can master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about their literary heritage. “Poetry Out Loud” has inspired thousand of students across the nation to discover classic and contemporary poetry.

You can find a link for a highlights video of the 2006 finalists here.