On Dec. 13, Jefferson hosted the annual Poetry Out Loud competition. This national initiative, aimed at fostering a deeper appreciation for poetry through memorization and recitation is more than just a competition—it’s a celebration of poetry’s power to connect and inspire.
“It encourages young people across the country to appreciate poetry through memorizing and reciting it,” English teacher and first time coordinator for the event Rebecca Walz said.
Competitions start at the school level, with winners advancing to regional and national stages. Participating students select a poem from the program’s extensive online database. Scoring is based on two main elements: the student’s understanding and interpretation of the poem and the effectiveness of their delivery. Judges evaluate voice, gestures, and emotional resonance to determine how well participants bring their chosen works to life.
For freshman Asha Idiculla, Poetry Out Loud provided an opportunity to step outside her comfort zone. Idiculla selected “Part for the Whole” by Robert Francis, a poem about being content with what you have.
“You have to show eye contact, speak loudly, and really show the emotion of the poem,” Idiculla shared. She prepared for her performance by rehearsing in front of her parents, refining her delivery with their feedback. “It’s helped me speak in front of a class and project my voice,” she said.
Junior Moubon Kurukumbi took a different approach, choosing “From the Sky” by Sara Abou Rashed, a piece about the struggles of war and the longing for peace.
“The poem ends by saying, ‘When I die, bury me in the sky because it’s quiet there. No one owns it, and no one is claiming to,’” she explained.
To capture the bittersweet tone, Kurukumbi emphasized the poem’s emotional nuances through her voice and gestures.
“I listen to voice memos and break the poem into pieces to memorize each part,” she said.
Junior Gabby Licayan, winner of the school-wide competition, broke down her preparation process, which included annotating

her poem to deepen her understanding, memorize it, and practicing her performance with her friends.
“I had to think about how to convey meaning through phrasing, body language, and tone,” she explained. “It’s not just about acting but interpreting the poem in a way that resonates with the audience.”
Licayan also acknowledged the challenges she faced.
“Poetry Out Loud definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone, especially when performing multiple poems at the state level last year. But it made me step out and realize there’s so many interpretations, so many ways you could represent material or text that I never thought of before.”
Kurukumbi agreed, additionally noting that repeated practice helped her manage nerves and has helped with presentations in school.
However, not all English classes participate in the program, which limits the number of candidates who advance to the school-wide competition. Walz hopes to promote the event more effectively next year.
“We already see ways to build up more hype and advertise better,” Walz said.
Despite the challenges, Poetry Out Loud offers valuable experiences for all participants. As many students have shown, stepping outside of one’s comfort zone can lead to personal growth, enhanced public speaking skills, and a deeper connection to poetry. The competition’s supportive environment encourages all students to push past their initial reservations and discover their potential.
“It’s a really supportive community, and the experience is rewarding in ways you don’t anticipate. You might just surprise yourself,” Walz said.