CHEYENNE — The Wyoming Arts Council invites educators of students in grades nine-12 to participate in this year’s Poetry Out Loud (POL) program, joining peers from 54 U.S. states and jurisdictions in celebrating the nation’s rich history and diverse voices.

A curated anthology of poems is available through the national Poetry Out Loud website, offering educators an easy-to-use program highlighting the upcoming semiquincentennial of the United States through the power of spoken word.

Sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, Poetry Out Loud encourages students to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance, helping them build public-speaking skills and self-confidence while exploring the literary heritage of the United States. The program is free for schools and can be implemented in classrooms, after-school programs, clubs or community groups. Designed specifically for students in grades nine-12 attending public, private or home schools, Poetry Out Loud offers a fun and engaging way to teach and learn language arts standards through poetry.

Students first compete at the classroom and school levels before advancing to the state competition on March 2, 2026, in Cheyenne. Each school champion will recite three poems. Wyoming’s state champion will receive $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete at the National Finals. The state champion’s school will receive a $500 stipend to purchase poetry materials. The first runner-up will receive $100, and their school will receive $200 for its library. 

Educators interested in registering their classrooms can complete the form at bit.ly/4mXQyKV or contact Ismael Dominguez at Ismael.Dominguez@wyo.gov for more information.

Learn more about the Wyoming Arts Council at wyomingartscouncil.org and the national Poetry Out Loud program at poetryoutloud.org.