![](\"https:\/\/stocktonartleague.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-12-at-11.50.10-AM.png\" "\\"Screenshot")
<\/span><\/div>Poetry Out Loud \u2013 San Joaquin County 2026<\/h2>\n
Poetry Out Loud (POL)<\/strong> is a national arts education program created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. Each year, POL engages over 100,000 students across the country in the dynamic practice of poetry recitation.<\/p>\n The program encourages students to learn about both classic and contemporary poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. By taking part, students strengthen public speaking and communication skills, build confidence, and deepen their appreciation for literature and the arts.<\/p>\n Locally, Poetry Out Loud is coordinated by the Stockton Art League<\/strong> and the San Joaquin County Office of Education<\/strong>, in partnership with the California Arts Council<\/strong> and Amador Arts Council<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Students:<\/strong> Do you love poetry? Performing? Or just want to try something new?<\/em> Teachers:<\/strong> Poetry Out Loud is designed to integrate easily into your classroom. With free lesson plans, resources, and an official anthology of poems, it offers a ready-made way to support student growth in language, performance, and confidence. Whether as a unit or an independent project, POL provides your students with an opportunity to shine.<\/p>\n Open to all San Joaquin County high school students<\/strong> (public, private, charter, and homeschool).<\/p>\n Deadline:<\/strong> Friday, January 9, 2026 \u2013 11:59 PM PST<\/p>\n \n \n Application Coming Soon\n <\/a>\n<\/p>\n Meghan O\u2019Keefe<\/strong> Kristin Ward<\/strong> Jessica Fong<\/strong>
\nAn Invitation to Students and Teachers<\/h4>\n
\nJoin other students for the Poetry Out Loud competition<\/strong>\u2014a chance to step up, present powerful poems, and maybe even make it all the way to the National stage in Washington, D.C.!<\/p>\n
\nEligibility<\/h4>\n
\nCompetition Process<\/h4>\n
\n
\nStudents submit a video recitation of a poem selected from the official Poetry Out Loud anthology.
\nDeadline:<\/strong> Friday, January 9, 2026 \u2013 11:59 PM PST<\/li>\n
\nThe top 10 submissions will be selected to compete live.
\nDate:<\/strong> Saturday, January 31, 2026<\/strong>
\nLocation:<\/strong> Chartville 1 and Chartville 2, 2707 Transworld Drive, Stockton, CA 95206<\/li>\n
\nDates:<\/strong> Sunday, March 15 \u2013 Monday, March 16, 2026
\nLocation:<\/strong> (Sacramento, CA)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nWhy Participate?<\/h4>\n
\n
Local Contacts<\/h4>\n
\nExecutive Director, Amador Arts
\nState\u2013Local Partner Mentor
\n\ud83d\udce7 meghan@amadorarts.org<\/p>\n
\nDirector I, Language and Literacy, San Joaquin County Office of Education
\n\ud83d\udce7 krward@sjcoe.net<\/p>\n
\nStockton Art League
\nState\u2013Local Partner Mentee Organization
\n\ud83d\udce7 gallery@stocktonartleague.org<\/p>\n<\/div>Resources<\/h4>\n
\n
National Poetry Out Loud Website<\/a><\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/li>\n
California Poetry Out Loud<\/a><\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/li>\n
Lesson Plans for Teachers & Organizers<\/a><\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/li>\n
Poetry Out Loud App (App Store)<\/a><\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/li>\n
Poetry Out Loud App (Google Play)<\/a><\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n \n \n \n