Poetry Out Loud - recitation contest - Mississippi Arts Commission

David Lewis, Malisha Taylor, Tommy Nichol, Sanika Janorkar

2024 Poetry Out Loud Competition

The Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) is pleased to announce that Malisha Taylor, a Sophomore at Pascagoula High School, is the 2024 Mississippi Poetry Out Loud® (POL) champion. Tommy Nichol, a Junior at Oxford High School, is the first runner-up, and Sanika Janorkar, a Freshman at Rosa Scott High School, is the second runner-up.

Malisha Taylor will receive $200, and Pascagoula High School will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry materials. Tommy Nichol will receive $100 as the first runner-up, with $200 for Oxford High School.

Taylor recited “Mansplaining” by Jennifer Militello in the first round, “I Felt a Funeral in my Brain” by Emily Dickinson in the second round, and her winning recitation was “Burning in the Rain” by Richard Blanco.

Eight high school students from high schools/organizations across the state participated in the Poetry Out Loud state finals, which took place at Mississippi Public Broadcasting in Jackson, MS, on March 7, 2024.

Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) recorded the competition, and it aired on MPB Television at 7:30 p.m. (CST) on Friday, April 26, 2024, and at 4:30 p.m. (CST) on Sunday, April 28, 2024.

David Lewis Malisha Taylor — David Lewis and Malisha Taylor

About The Program

Poetry Out Loud is a free program created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation for students in grades 9 – 12. Since 2005, it has helped students in all fifty states, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and improve their reading comprehension scores while learning about their literary heritage.

Through the Poetry Out Loud curriculum, teachers guide students to a deeper, richer understanding of the power of language and literature by helping them develop a personal relationship with great poems. An added benefit is that Poetry Out Loud offers all students the opportunity to compete for awards, prizes, and recognition.

Who Can Participate?

Poetry Out Loud can be conducted virtually or in-person. The program starts at the classroom/school or at the local level with an area organization. Winners then may advance to a regional and/or state competition, and ultimately to the national finals. Awards and placements are determined solely by the judges’ scores based on the Poetry Out Loud Evaluation Criteria.

Any school or homeschool group in Mississippi that teaches students in grades 9 – 12 can register to participate in Poetry Out Loud. Public, private, parochial, alternative, independent, and Christian schools — as well as homeschool groups — are encouraged to participate. Non-school organizations, such as after-school clubs, libraries, or non-profit organizations, may also choose to run Poetry Out Loud. Students may only compete in one stream—either with their school or an organization. Students unable to participate at their school or local organization should contact their state Poetry Out Loud coordinator to discuss other opportunities for inclusion in the state’s official competition.

Registration Form

Past Winners

Contest Structure And Awards

Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest begins at the classroom level. Winners advance to school-wide contest, Regional Contests, State Finals and, ultimately, to the National Contest held in Washington, D.C. The State Champion receives $200 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington to compete in the National Contest. The Champion’s school receives a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry materials. The runner-up receives $100, with $200 going to his or her school library. At the National Contest, contestants can win $1000, $5000, $10,000 or the grand prize of $20,000.

Program Materials And Schedule

Schools that register to participate in Poetry Out Loud will receive free curriculum materials, including online poetry anthologies, a teachers guide to help instructors teach recitation and performance, promotional and media guides, a comprehensive website, and support from the Mississippi Arts Commission and the POL State Coordinator. Schools that choose not to register may still access the Poetry Out Loud website and use the materials available there.

Questions? See the Frequently Asked Questions for Poetry Out Loud.