Plumas Arts’ ninth annual Poetry Out Loud competition begins at noon Feb. 2, at the Town Hall Theater in Quincy. The poetry recitation is open to any Plumas County high school student in grades nine through 12. The contest provides opportunities for students to demonstrate their talents in the art of poetry recitation, said Margaret Elysia Garcia, Poetry Out Loud county coordinator.
The winner at the county level receives accommodations to advance to the California State Poetry Out Loud competition March 16, in Sacramento. The contest culminates in a national competition May 5 through 7, in Washington, D.C.
Poetry Out Loud encourages high school students to engage with poetry, which builds public speaking skills and strengthens self-confidence, Garcia said. Resources, including eligible poems, recitation tips and a teachers’ guide, are available on the Poetry Out Loud website.
Garcia has been visiting classrooms across Plumas County, in person and via Zoom, to encourage participation and prepare students for the upcoming event. “This program continues to grow each year as more students discover the power of poetry and the confidence that comes with performing it,” she said.
The competition is open to all Plumas County high school students in grades nine through 12, including homeschooled and privately schooled students. Participants select poems from the Poetry Out Loud website and perform them from memory. This year, all public high schools in Plumas County have confirmed their participation, underscoring the program’s growing popularity.
Local judges Jane Braxton Little, Jane Chang Kachiu, Tina Terrazas and Will Lombardi will assess the students based on memorization and their demonstrated understanding and ability to convey the meaning of their chosen poems.
For more information, visit www.PlumasArts.org.
Information provided by Plumas Arts
