Watch Live April 30 & May 1, as Students Compete in 2019 Poetry Out Loud National Finals

The 2019 Poetry Out Loud National Finals will be held April 30-May 1, in Washington, DC. Poetry Out Loud is the largest youth poetry recitation competition in the nation. Ohio Poetry Out Loud Champion, Lima Central Catholic High junior Anna Kahle, will represent Ohio as champions from each state, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands compete to become the Poetry Out Loud National Champion and the winner of a cash prize. Poet, author and 2018 National Book Award recipient Elizabeth Acevedo will serve as host. Both days of competition will be available for viewing through a live, one-time-only webcast at arts.gov. Schools cam find tips on
hosting a watch party at arts.gov. Visit Poetry Out Loud for more information about the national program, and visit the Ohio Arts Council for information about Ohio Poetry Out Loud.

Semi-Finals
Tuesday, April 30, 2019 – The state champions compete throughout the day in three semifinal rounds organized by region from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET at Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University, 730 21st Street NW, Washington, DC.

Finals
Wednesday, May 1, 2019 – The top nine finalists (three from each semi-final round) advance to the finals competition, also at Lisner Auditorium, from 7:00 to 9:15 p.m. ET. Click here to view the full recitation schedule.

Host: Poet Elizabeth Acevedo
Musical Performance: Kansas City-based mother/son duo Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear.

All events are free and open to the public; no tickets or reservations are required. Both days of competition will also be available through a live, one-time-only webcast at arts.gov. Join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram using #POL19.

Good luck to all the students.