Gorham High School announces the winners of the school competition of Poetry Out Loud (POL). The student runner up is Abigail McCrillis, who recited the poems “O Captain! My Captain!” and “Poetry” beautifully. Rataj Nasr was the student winner and brought the following poems alive for our audience: “Mother to Son” and “Nothing to Do.”

Poetry Out Loud is presented in partnership with the Maine Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. The program lifts poetry off the page, creating community and connection. High school students across the country participate in a dynamic poetry recitation competition that is designed to improve their public speaking skills, help build confidence, and teach them about literary history. Since the program began in 2005, more than 4.5 million students across the country have participated in Poetry Out Loud. On Jan. 8, GHS students participated in the Poetry Out Loud competition at the McCormack Performing Arts Center (MPAC).

Rataj Nasr will advance to the Southern Regional Finals POL competition on Feb. 10 at the Public Theater in Lewiston. The state finals are in Waterville on March 10. The Maine state champion will receive $200 and will advance to the national finals next spring in Washington, DC where $50,000 in awards and school/organizational stipends will be distributed. The representing school or organization of the Maine champion will receive $500 for the purchase of poetry materials and the first runner-up will receive $100, with $200 for their school or organization. Mid Atlantic Arts provides and administers all aspects of the monetary prizes awarded and travel arrangements for the Poetry Out Loud National Finals. Poetry Out Loud is managed in partnership with Mid Atlantic Arts.

To learn more about Maine’s Poetry Out Loud competitions, contact program director Khristina Kurasz via email at khristina.kurasz@maine.gov or visit PoetryOutLoud.org.