Riverside County Competition
Poetry Out Loud
Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation program that helps high school students build confidence, strengthen public speaking skills, and connect with poetry through performance. Riverside Arts Council coordinates the Riverside County competition, where school-level winners advance for the opportunity to represent the county at the California state competition.
About The Program
From classroom recitation to the national stage
Poetry Out Loud begins with classroom, school, or organization-level competitions. School winners then move forward to the county competition. The Riverside County winner advances to the California state competition, and the state champion advances to the national competition.
The national Poetry Out Loud program provides free resources for students, teachers, and organizers, including eligible poems, lesson plans, recitation tips, judging materials, and competition guidance.
Competition Pathway
How students advance
School Competition
Participating schools or organizations host a local competition and select one student winner to move forward.
County Competition
RAC hosts the Riverside County competition for school-level winners from participating schools across the county.
State Competition
The Riverside County winner advances to compete with county and regional winners from across California.
National Competition
The California state champion advances to the national Poetry Out Loud competition.
For Students
Prepare your voice, presence, and interpretation
Poetry Out Loud is open to currently enrolled students in grades 9-12, with a limited exception for 8th-grade students participating in a 9th- through 12th-grade class.
Students memorize and recite poems selected from the official Poetry Out Loud anthology. Recitations are evaluated on presence, voice and articulation, interpretation, evidence of understanding, overall performance, and accuracy.
Students should review the official rules, eligible poems, and recitation tips before preparing for school, county, state, or national competition.
For School Coordinators
Bring Poetry Out Loud to your school
Schools interested in participating should identify a teacher, librarian, administrator, club advisor, or other school representative to coordinate the program locally.
School coordinators organize classroom or school-level participation, share official materials with students, confirm eligible poems, arrange judging, and submit the school winner’s information to RAC for the county competition.
Participating schools are typically asked to confirm participation by the end of December so RAC can prepare for the county competition in January.
For Riverside County participation questions, county competition details, deadlines, or school coordination support, contact Magnolia Mills at magnolia@riversideartscouncil.com.
What To Prepare
Helpful details before county competition
Current Year
Riverside County competition details
The Riverside County Poetry Out Loud competition is usually held toward the end of January. Participating schools are typically asked to confirm participation by the end of December.
The current year’s competition date, location, school submission instructions, and event schedule will be shared here as details are confirmed. Schools that would like to participate, receive updates, or ask questions about the county competition can contact Magnolia Mills at Riverside Arts Council.
Review student eligibility, poem eligibility, and official competition rules.
Poems Find PoemsBrowse the official Poetry Out Loud poem anthology and select eligible poems.
Practice Watch RecitationsView examples of student recitations and learn what makes a performance strong.
Judging Judging A CompetitionFind evaluation materials, judging guidance, and competition support resources.
Questions?
Connect with RAC about Poetry Out Loud
Schools, teachers, students, families, and community partners interested in Poetry Out Loud in Riverside County can contact Magnolia Mills for county competition information and participation support.