The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation have 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 participate in Poetry Out Loud.

Competitions are first held at the school level to decide the student that will represent their school at the state finals. The state champion will go on to represent Indiana at the Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington D.C.!

Check back in the fall of 2013 for information about the 2014 Indiana Poetry Out Loud competition. Questions? Email Susan Britsch for more information. 

Photo by Brian Drumm

Plymouth High School student crowned Indiana's 2013 Poetry Out Loud champion

The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) recently announced that Emma Libersky, a student at Plymouth High School, Plymouth, Indiana, won top honors in the 2013 Indiana Poetry Out Loud recitation contest.

Emma was chosen from a field of 25 finalists from Indiana schools participating in this year’s competition held February 23 at the Central Branch of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, Indianapolis. This was the largest field of contestants to take part in the history of the state Poetry Out Loud competition.

Nicole Schapker, Signature School, Evansville was the First Runner-Up, and Daniel Robinson, Pike High School, Indianapolis was Second Runner-Up.

Nearly 2,500 students representing high schools from around Indiana competed to determine the state champion. The student crowned State Champion receives a $200 cash prize and an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete at the National Finals in late April. The National Championships feature competitors from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Finalists for the National Championship will compete for scholarship prizes totaling $50,000, with the National Champion claiming $20,000 in scholarship funding. The State Champion’s school receives a $500 stipend to purchase poetry books.

Photo by Brian Drumm

2013 Indiana State Competition and Winners

Winners:

• State Champion: Emma Libersky of Plymouth High School in Plymouth will represent Indiana in Washington D.C., competing in the National Finals competition on April 28-30, 2013. Emma received a $200 cash prize and a $500 stipend for her school library for the purchase of poetry books.
• 1st Runner-Up:  Nicole Schapker of Signature School in Evansville came in second place and received a $100 cash prize and a $200 stipend for her school library for the purchase of poetry books.
• 2nd Runner-Up: Daniel Robinson of Pike High School in Indianapolis came in third place.

Finalists:

• Rebecca Alifimoff, Canterbury School, Fort Wayne
• Cassidy Dye, La Lumiere School, LaPorte,
• Diamond Griggs, Speedway High School, Speedway
• Alyssa Hoffman, Homestead High School, Fort Wayne
• Eliana Monaghan, Anderson Preparatory Academy, Anderson
• Chelsea Risser, West Noble High School, Ligonier
• Lindsey Taylor, Columbus Signature Academy – New Tech, Columbus

Judges:

• Curtis Crisler, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne
• Diane Drumm, University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis
• Chris Forhan, Butler University, Indianapolis
• Karen Kovacik, Poet Laureate, Indianapolis
• Alessandra Lynch, Butler University, Indianapolis
• Jordan Mather-Licht, Broad Ripple High School, Indianapolis
• David Shumate, Marian University, Indianapolis

Prizes

The winner at the state level receives:

• $200 cash prize
• All-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. to compete at the National Finals competition April 28-30, 2013.

The state winner's school receives:

• $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books.

The state runner-up receives:

• $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.

This Event Made Possible By:

Related Links

• 2012 Indiana State Competition and Winners
• 2011 Indiana State Competition and Winners
• 2010 Indiana State Competition and Winners
• University High School of Indiana Student Wins State Poetry Out Loud Contest  
• Arts Commission Invites Indiana High Schools to Participate in 2010 Poetry Out Loud Competition
• Broad Ripple High School Student Wins State Poetry Out Loud Contest
• 2009 Indiana State Competition and Winners
• Poetry Out Loud 2009 Competition Announcement
• 2008 Indiana State Competition and Winners
• Arts in Education Granting Program