POETRY RECITATION COMPETITION GIVES HIGHSCOOL STUDENTS A VOICE
Atlanta History Center Hosts State Poetry Out Loud Competitions
Poetry Out Loud is an innovative program that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance of the written word. It incorporates the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word, and theater into English and drama classes. Poetry Out Loud, which began in 2005, helps students improve public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about the role great poetry plays in literature.
In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and Georgia Council for the Arts, The Literary Center at the Margaret Mitchell House administers Poetry Out Loud for the state of Georgia.
Functioning much like a spelling bee, the Poetry Out Loud competition uses a pyramid structure that begins in the classroom. Winners of each classroom recitation competition advance to a school-wide contest, then each school’s top winner goes to a semi-final competition. Semi-final competitions took place locally in February 2014. Finalists from the semi-final competitions have advanced and are ready to compete in the North Georgia Regional competition. Five finalists will be selected to advance on to State competition. Finally, one Georgia winner competes at the National Finals in Washington, D.C.
Upcoming Competition Dates:
- March 8, 2014 at 1:00 pm: North Georgia Regional Competition - Atlanta History Center, Woodruff Auditorium
Five finalists will be selected to move onto the State Championship.
- March 15, 2014 at 1:00 pm: State Final Competition – Atlanta History Center, Woodruff Auditorium
During the competition there will also be a poetry showcase in which judges and local poets will recite their own work. Our state poet laureate Judson Mitcham will headline the poetry showcase.
- April 29-30, 2014: National Final, Washington D.C. - Lisner Auditorium, George Washington University
The winner at the state level receives $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip with an adult chaperone to Washington D.C. 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 in each state receives $100, with $200 for his or her school library. A total of $50,000 in awards and school stipends is awarded annually at the National Finals, with one winner taking home a college scholarship for $20,000.
Interested in Participating Next Year?
If your school would like to get involved next year, we need to hear from you as soon as possible. For a high school to participate, one point person, or "school coordinator," at that location must commit to be the liaison between the high school and the state coordinator. To get involved next year, contact Emily Reece via email at EReece@AtlantaHistoryCenter.com or phone at 404.814.4017.
Program Materials:
Curriculum materials include a teacher’s guide to help instructors teach recitation and performance, a print and online poetry anthology, an audio CD demonstrating spoken word through use of famous actors and writers, and a “Learning Recitation” DVD. All of these items are provided free to participating schools.
For more information about the Poetry Out Loud initiative, please visit online at MargaretMitchellHouse.com.
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