2023 Poetry out loud competition

what it is

POL is a free program that helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, learn about their literary heritage, and compete for college scholarship funding. Nationwide, Poetry Out Loud has grown every year with millions of students participating across the country. California features the largest, most exciting competition of all!

Since the program’s inception in 2006, we have proudly produced Poetry Out Loud (POL) in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council and the Poetry Foundation. This extraordinary program offers our high school students the opportunity to learn great poetry, perform it, and win prizes. In 2023, we will partner with the Santa Barbara Public Library to administer Poetry Out Loud throughout Santa Barbara County.

how it works

The structure of Poetry Out Loud is similar to a spelling bee. This annual program starts in the fall, with high school teachers using the free Poetry Out Loud teacher toolkit and related materials to teach poetry recitation and run classroom competitions. Students must select poems from the Poetry Out Loud Anthology. Classroom winners advance to a schoolwide competition; school champions compete at the district or county level by mid-February. County winners are then treated to an unforgettable two days at the California Poetry Out Loud State Finals in Sacramento, and a chance to compete in the national competition in Washington, D.C.

The California state champion receives:

• $200 cash prize and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

• $500 for their school to purchase literary materials

• An opportunity to compete at the National Finals for college scholarship funds

Watch the 2020 competition!

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Schools wanting to register can click here to register. Schools, teachers, parents, and students can contact either of the staff contacts listed on the right for more information.

Any public or private high school in the state is welcome and encouraged to participate. Homeschooled students may participate by joining in a registered high school's competition or by organizing a contest with other homeschooled students.

Poetry Out Loud is accessible to students with disabilities. Teachers are encouraged to involve all students in Poetry Out Loud activities and can learn more about POL accessibility here.

participating high schools

The following Santa Barbara County high schools have participated in Poetry Out Loud: Cabrillo High School, Carpinteria High School, Dos Pueblos High School, Ernest Righetti High School, Laguna Blanca High School, Orcutt Academy, Pioneer Valley High School, Santa Barbara High School, Santa Maria High School

2022 champion

Congratulations to Sierra Mayoral of Carpinteria High School, the two-time Santa Barbara County Poetry Out Loud Champion! Sierra Mayoral also was recognized as the statewide Poetry Ourselves competition winner for original student work. Learn more about Poetry Ourselves and read Sierra’s poem, “Crossed and Cautious,” here.