Poetry Out Loud 2006 National Finals Video Produced by WGBH Educational Foundation and renowned filmmaker David Grubin, this short video highlights the 2006 National Finals of the Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest. Interviews with state champions reveal how they got involved in the competition, and how it transformed their ideas about poetry and themselves. 12 minutes. QuickTime : Windows : Real Note on accessibility: the video is captioned. In Quicktime, click on "CC" to turn captions on or off. Audio of National Finalists Jackson Hille Poetry Out Loud National Champion Ohio "Forgetfulness" by Billy Collins Windows | Real Teal Van Dyck Second place winner New Hampshire "Siren Song" by Margaret Atwood Windows | Real Kellie Taulia Anae Third place winner Hawaii "Hysteria" by Dionisio D. Martínez Windows | Real Photo Gallery Browse photographs of all 52 state champions.

THE 2008 NATIONAL FINALS

With a fan club including her family, friends, English teacher, poetry coach, and members of the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts, 16-year-old Shawntay Henry of the United States Virgin Islands captured the audience with her poetry recitations and was named the 2008 Poetry Out Loud National Champion. Along with her title, Henry, a 10th grade student at Charlotte Amalie High School, receives a $20,000 scholarship prize. Henry was among 12 finalists and 52 state champions from around the country who participated in the third annual national poetry recitation contest on April 29, sponsored by the Poetry Foundation and National Arts Endowment.

Read the 2008 Champion Announcement

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2007 NATIONAL FINALS

The Poetry Out Loud National Finals were held on May 1, at the George Washington University Lisner Auditorium in Washington, DC. Presiding special guest judges included Jackson Hille, the 2006 National Champion and Garrison Keillor, host of the radio show "A Prairie Home Companion." Under the careful assessment of six judges, three top performers were chosen: Amanda Fernandez, District of Columbia; Branden Emanual Wellington, Indiana; and Alanna Rivera, Virginia.
Download the Program from the 2007 National Finals
Read the 2007 National Finals press release

HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2006 NATIONAL RECITATION CONTEST

Last May, 51 state champions came to Washington, D.C., to compete in the national finals of Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest. They gathered at the historic Lincoln Theater in Washington, D.C., to match their skills in poetry memorization and recitation. After an exciting day of non-stop recitation, a high-school senior from Ohio, Jackson Hille, was crowned National Champion and winner of the 1st place $20,000 scholarship prize.
Download the Program from the 2006 National Finals
Read the press release from the 2006 National Finals