High schools across Oklahoma can register through November 6 to give students the chance to compete in the 2026-2027 Oklahoma Poetry Out Loud contest.
The Oklahoma Arts Council partners with Oklahoma A+ Schools Institute to offer the program, which is part of a national competition encouraging students to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. The program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life.
Winners from individual schools advance to the state competition in March at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond where a state champion is crowned. The state champion receives an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to represent Oklahoma in the national contest. Both the state champion and their school receive cash prizes.
Last year, students from Broken Arrow, Byng, Coweta, Erick, Guthrie, Lone Grove, and other schools across Oklahoma participated.
Register your school for 2026-2027 Poetry Out Loud by November 6.
