Poetry Out Loud 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. Students compete first within their classrooms before moving on to school-wide, regional, state, and national competitions.
This year’s in-school competition was won by Zelah Booker with “On the Death of Anne Brontë” by Charlotte Brontë. She recorded two additional poems, “Turning the Tables” by Joel-Dias Porter and “Invisible Children” by Mariana Llanos, which will be judged at the regional and state levels. You can watch all three performances below. Congratulations, Zelah!