FY 2021 Poetry Out Loud Program

Poetry Out Loud

As the State Arts Agency of Guam, the Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency a.k.a. CAHA is pleased to announce that for the first time, students in grades 9 - 12 in Guam’s schools have the opportunity to participate in one of the National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA) signature educational programs called Poetry Out Loud. Poetry Out Loud is a national initiative that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a recitation competition for high school students across the country. Since 2005, Poetry Out Loud has enabled students to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance of the written word. It helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life.

Research studies supported by the National Endowment for the Arts show that the arts can help close performance gaps in learning; strengthen social and civic engagement; and increase levels of empathy, compassion, and tolerance. Poetry Out Loud not only unites students within a school, it has the potential to connect students with others in their community and peers in other parts of the country.

The program starts at the classroom/school level with each registered school winner competing in a state competition. Guam’s winner will then advance to the national finals to be held virtually in May 2021.

Poetry Out Loud is a partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, Poetry Foundation, and the state and jurisdictional arts agencies. For further information, contact Ms. Jacqueline Balbas, Guam Poetry Out Loud State Coordinator/ CAHA Program Coordinator IV at 300-1205 or via email at jacqueline.balbas@caha.guam.gov.

Poetry Out Loud Call Out Flyer