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IAC > Arts Education > Indiana Poetry Out Loud Competition Indiana Poetry Out Loud Competition

National Endowment for the Arts Announces 2009 National Winners

Backed by a cheering section of his family and friends, 18 year-old William Farley of Arlington, Virginia captivated both judges and audience with his poetry recitations to gain the title of 2009 Poetry Out Loud National Champion.  Farley received a $20,000 award and his high school, Washington-Lee High School, will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books.

The second-place winner was Barbara Gooding of Western Hills High School in Frankfort, Kentucky, who received a $10,000 award.  The Illinois State Champion, Kareem Sayegh of University Laboratory High School in Champaign, Illinois, received the third place prize and a $5,000 award.  In addition, each of the top 12 finalists received a $1,000 award.  The twelve finalists' schools received $500 each for the purchase of poetry books.  Source:  NEA Press Release.

On September 13, 2009, CBS News Sunday Morning featured a segment on the 2009 Poetry Out Loud National Finals.  For more information, please visit http://www.poetryoutloud.org/blog/2009/09/23/pol-on-cbs/.

2010 State Competition Information

The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation has once again partnered with the Indiana Arts Commission to support 2009-2010 Poetry Out Loud, a FREE high school program which encourages the nation's youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation.

 

2009 State Competition and Winners

2009 Poetry Out Loud Winners and JudgesThe 2009 Indiana Poetry Out Loud Competition took place on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at the Indianapolis Central Public Library.

The Indiana Arts Commission would like to thank all of the participants, teachers, parents and judges for making this year's Poetry Out Loud competition possible.     

Winners:

  • Derek C. Kaellner of Broad Ripple High School in Indianapolis will represent Indiana in Washington D.C., competing in the National Finals competition on April 26-28, 2009. Derek received a $200 cash prize and a $500 stipend for his school for the purchase of poetry books.
  • Keiana Whatley of Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis came in second place and received a $100 cash prize and a $200 stipend for her school library for the purchase of poetry books.

  • Elise Lockwood of University High School in Carmel came in third place.


Finalists: 

  • Leslie Ann Boyden, Clay High School, South Bend
  • Courtney Fyan, Edgewood High School, Elletsville
  • Angelina Jung, Plymouth High School, Plymouth
  • Derek C. Kaellner, Broad Ripple High School, Indianapolis
  • Elise Lockwood, University High School, Carmel
  • Tom Miller, Trader’s Point Christian Academy, Whitestown
  • Ryan Myers, Southport High School, Indianapolis
  • Derek O’Brien, Morton Memorial High School, Knightstown
  • Zack Rooker, Warsaw Community High School, Warsaw
  • Shelby Tuck, Columbus Christian School, Columbus
  • Keiana Whatley, Ben Davis High School, Indianapolis
  • Kate Wickwire, Lawrence North High School, Indianapolis


Judges:

  • Lawren Mills, Policy Director for Human Services, Office of Governor Mitch Daniels
  • Sarah Fronczek, Fine Arts Coordinator, Indiana Department of Education
  • Norbert Krapf, Indiana Poet Laureate
  • Emily Bobo, Assistant Professor of English, Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington

About the Indiana Poetry Out Loud Competition

The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation has once again partnered with the Indiana Arts Commission to support Poetry Out Loud, a program which encourages the nation's youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. This exciting , FREE program helps high school students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage. Classrooms, clubs, and groups from all over the nation will be participating in Poetry Out Loud.

Competitions will first be held at the school level to determine up to two students that will represent their school at the regional finals. The regional and state competition will be held to determine the state champion and who will go on to represent Indiana at the Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington D.C.!

Download the 2009 Indiana Poetry Out Loud Flyer

Prizes

The winner at the state level will receive:

  • $200 cash prize
  • All-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. to compete for the National Final competition, April 26-28, 2009.

The state winner's school will receive:

  • $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books.

The state runner up will receive:

  • $100, with $200 for his/her school library.

A total of $50,000 in scholarship awards and school stipends will be awarded at the Poetry Out Loud National Finals, with a $20,000 college scholarship award for the National Champion.

How Can Schools Get Involved?

Any public or private high school in the state is welcome and encouraged to participate. Over 250,000 students are expected to participate in the program this year. For more information, contact Susan Britsch, Community Development & Arts Education Coordinator, at sbritsch@iac.in.gov or 317-232-1281.

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