POL National Semi-Finals Broadcast

Saturday May 2nd, 2:00pm CT / 1:00pm MT

For the first time in the program’s 16-year history, the Poetry Out Loud national semifinals and finals will be held virtually this May. Watch along as Nebraska State Champ, Alexandra Zaleski and 54 other students compete for a total of $50,000 in awards and school or organizational stipends.

Each year, high school students nationwide experience Poetry Out Loud, memorizing and reciting classic and contemporary poetry and participating in local, regional, and state competitions. The top nine contestants at the national semi-finals event will go on to compete in national finals on May 27.

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Poetry Out Loud State Champion

Congratulations to, Alexandra Zaleski of Skutt Catholic High School!

Thank you to Sherri Hoye, teacher and POL coordinator for Skutt Catholic High School!

As State Champion, Alexandra Zaleski, has earned $200 from The Poetry Foundation, as well as an additional $500 for her school's library to purchase new poetry books. Zaleski will go on this spring to represent Nebraska at the Poetry Out Loud National Competition.

1st Runner-Up

Congratulations to, Madeleine Smith of Marian High School!

Thank you to Marsha Kalkowski, teacher and POL coordinator for Marian High School!

As State Champion 1st runner-up, Madeleine Smith, has earned herself $100 from The Poetry Foundation, as well as an additional $200 for her school's library, to purchase new poetry books.