Poetry Out Loud 26–27 Regions 6 + 8
GIVE YOUR STUDENTS A STAGE.
The Northeast Louisiana Arts Council is proud to coordinate Poetry Out Loud for Regions 6 and 8 during the 2026–2027 school year, connecting high school students across 20 Louisiana parishes with opportunities to explore poetry, develop their voices, and take the stage.
Poetry Out Loud is a free national arts education program for students in grades 9–12 that helps young people build confidence, strengthen public-speaking skills, and discover poetry through memorization and recitation.
Students explore poems from the official Poetry Out Loud anthology, choose works that speak to them, and bring those poems to life through performance.
Poetry Out Loud Regions 6 + 8
REGION 6 — Central Louisiana
Avoyelles • Catahoula • Concordia • Grant • LaSalle • Rapides • Vernon • Winn
REGION 8 — Northeast Louisiana
Caldwell • East Carroll • Franklin • Jackson • Lincoln • Madison • Morehouse • Ouachita • Richland • Tensas • Union • West Carroll
Participation is open to eligible students from public, private, parochial, charter, homeschool, and other eligible educational settings throughout both regions.
Participation deadline: Monday, December 7, 2026
2027 REGIONAL COMPETITIONS
Regions 6 + 8 at Grambling State University
Tentatively Thursday, January 21, 2027
Pending final venue approval
Students representing schools and organizations throughout Regions 6 and 8 will gather at Grambling State University for the 2027 Poetry Out Loud Regional Competitions.
Regions 6 and 8 will remain separate competitive regions, with a regional champion advancing from each region to the Louisiana Poetry Out Loud State Competition.
2026–2027 Poetry Out Loud Timeline
September 1, 2026
The official 2026–2027 Poetry Out Loud anthology is live. Students and educators can begin exploring eligible poems now.
Monday, December 7, 2026
Deadline for schools and organizations in Regions 6 and 8 to confirm participation.
Thursday, January 21, 2027 — Tentative
Regions 6 + 8 Poetry Out Loud Regional Competitions
Grambling State University
Pending final venue approval
Thursday, March 4, 2027
Louisiana Poetry Out Loud State Competition
Location to be announced
April 26–28, 2027
Poetry Out Loud National Finals
Washington, DC
How Poetry Out Loud Works
1. Explore the Anthology
Students select eligible poems from the official Poetry Out Loud anthology.
2. Prepare and Recite
Students memorize their selections and develop their own interpretation and delivery.
3. Hold a Local Competition
Schools and eligible organizations select the student or students who will represent them at the regional level.
4. Compete at Regionals
Students from Regions 6 and 8 gather at Grambling State University for their respective regional competitions.
5. Advance
The Region 6 Champion and Region 8 Champion each advance to the Louisiana Poetry Out Loud State Competition, with the opportunity to continue on to the National Finals.
Why Participate?
Poetry Out Loud gives students the opportunity to:
- Build confidence and strengthen public-speaking skills
- Develop communication and performance skills
- Deepen their understanding of poetry and literature
- Practice close reading, interpretation, and memorization
- Represent their school or organization
- Advance from local participation to regional, state, and national competition
- Compete for prizes and recognition along the way
The Best Part? Participation Is Free.
Poetry Out Loud provides free educational resources, including the official anthology, teacher materials, lesson plans, judging resources, videos, and student preparation tools.
Prizes and Advancement
Students who place at the regional competitions will receive prizes, and both the Region 6 Champion and the Region 8 Champion will advance to the Louisiana Poetry Out Loud State Competition.
Eligible travel expenses for each regional champion to attend the state competition will be reimbursed up to $300.
Louisiana State Competition
- State Champion: $200
- Champion’s school or organization: $500 for the purchase of poetry materials
- The State Champion receives an all-expenses-paid trip with an adult chaperone to Washington, DC, to represent Louisiana at the National Finals
- State Runner-Up: $100
- Runner-Up’s school or organization: $200 for poetry materials
National Finals
The 2027 National Champion will receive $20,000, with additional cash awards available to other national finalists.
Educators, You Don’t Have to Build the Program Alone.
Poetry Out Loud can fit naturally into:
- English or literature classroom
- Theatre program
- Speech or debate program
- Gifted program
- Library
- Homeschool group
- Student club
- Other eligible educational setting
The Northeast Louisiana Arts Council provides support throughout the process, including:
- Guidance for educators and coordinators
- Deadline reminders
- Competition information
- Student preparation resources
- Assistance with registration and eligibility questions
- Regional competition coordination
Not sure whether Poetry Out Loud is a fit for your school or organization? Reach out. We’re happy to help you figure out what participation could look like for your students.
Want to Participate, but Your School Isn’t Offering Poetry Out Loud?
Students in grades 9–12 who are homeschooled or whose school is not participating should contact the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council.
There may be alternative participation options available for eligible students in Regions 6 and 8.
Contact Abigail Handy-Garcia
Regions 6 + 8 Poetry Out Loud Coordinator
abigail@nelaarts.org
Educator Resources
Everything you need to get started is available through Poetry Out Loud.
Ready to Give Your Students a Stage?
Schools and organizations in Regions 6 and 8 are invited to participate in Poetry Out Loud during the 2026–2027 school year.
Participation deadline: Monday, December 7, 2026
You do not need to have your student participants selected or your local competition fully planned in order to express interest.
Questions?
Abigail Handy-Garcia
Regions 6 + 8 Poetry Out Loud Coordinator
Northeast Louisiana Arts Council
abigail@nelaarts.org
