Arts Education Program

NH Poetry Out Loud Competition
Academic Year 2010 - 2011

Congratulations to all NH Poetry Out Loud Competitors &
to our NH Champion Olivia Vordenberg of Souhegan High School, Amherst

Starter Kit:

• Open Letter to Schools: MSWord only
• Flyer, Rules of the Game, and Registration Form: PDF only
• Informational Power Point about Poetry Out Loud: PDF only (large file)
• Sample media advisory for official Poetry Out Loud high school contests: MSWord only

General Information (updated regularly)

• About the Poetry Out Loud Program
• Browse the Poems that Students Select From
• Finalist Results
• Semi-final Information and Individual High School Schedules & Results

Press Releases:

• March 3, 2011 - N.H. Poetry Out Loud Championship to Takes Place at State House
• February 1, 2011 - 2011 NH Poetry Out Loud Semi-finals Announced
• September 1, 2010 - Learn More about New Hampshire Poetry Out Loud 2011

The goal of the Poetry Out Loud competition and its accompanying curriculum is to encourage the nation's youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.

Poetry Out Loud builds on the current resurgence of the spoken word as an art form, inviting the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word, and theater into the classroom. 

Nationwide, the program involves 150,000 students annually and awards $50,000 in scholarships. Funding comes from The Poetry Foundation and National Endowment for the Arts, and is awarded to each State Arts Council to carry out a statewide program.

In New Hampshire, any high school — public, private, or parochial, as well home school groups — are welcomed to participate. There is no charge to compete.