Florida Division of Cultural Affairs
What is Poetry Out Loud
Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest is a literature program for high school students in every state in the country. Poetry Out Loud participants master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage through poetry recitation.
How it Works
The Florida Division of Cultural Affairs works with the National Endowment of the Arts to poetry study materials to participating high school Language Arts teachers. Participating teachers use the materials to prepare for school-wide poetry recitation competitions. School winners get to participate in the State Finals contest, March 9, 2013 in the Heritage Hall Auditorium at the R.A. Gray Building in Tallahassee Florida.
The winner of the State Finals for Florida and a chaperone will be given an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC to compete in the Poetry Out Loud National Finals. The national winner will receive $20,000 in college scholarship funds and national media recognition.
How to Participate
Interested teachers may review the Poetry Out Loud classroom materials, poems, instructions and other resources at http://www.poetryoutloud.org/.
Registration is now open for the 2013 state finals. Students must register by 4:00pm February 8, 2013 using the link below.
Contact the Division of Cultural Affairs' State Program Coordinator, Ken Crawford at 850.245.6395 or ken.crawford@dos.myflorida.com for more information.
About the Program
Poetry Out Loud was started by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. Beginning with a very successful pilot program in 2005, the program in Florida has expanded to include additional Florida school districts, including public schools, private schools, parochial schools and home-schooled students, throughout the state.
Poetry Out Loud is administered in partnership with the State Arts Agencies of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Poetry Out Loud program awards a total of $100,000 in prizes to high school students and their schools each year. Please check the program’s official website at www.poetryoutloud.org for more information.
Contact
Ken Crawford
Program Coordinator
850.245.6395
ken.crawford@dos.myflorida.com
