With Poetry In Voice/Les voix de la poésie, students:
- build confidence that lasts a lifetime.
- broaden their understanding of the beauty of language and literature.
- refine their public speaking and memorization skills.
- build a shared appreciation for the rich canon of English and French poetic traditions.
Students can choose to participate as individuals in our National Contests or join forces with friends to enter our Team Regionals. They select classic and contemporary poems to commit to memory, hone their recitation skills, and compete for over $75,000 in travel and prizes!
National Finals Recitations
James Hoag: “you aren’t going to like what i have to say” by Donato Mancini
2024
Olivia Bridgman: “Thoughtless Cruelty” by Charles Lamb
2023
Matthew Zhou: “Poem For Duncan Campbell Scott” by Armand Garnet Ruffo
2019
Stephanie Omorotionmwan: "Black Sheroes" by El Jones
2022
Ji Thevenard: “Hotel Centrale, Rotterdam” by Daniel David Moses
2017
Emiliia Lebedeva: “Bilingual/Bilingüe” by Rhina P. Espaillat
2024
Alexander Gagliano: “Journey of the Magi” by T. S. Eliot
2012
2023 National Finals and FutureVerse 30 minute version
2023
Leo Chang: “Constantly Risking Absurdity (#15)” by Lawrence Ferlinghetti
2014
Recitation Tips
Find It: Explore Our Anthology
2012
Learn It: Understand Your Poem
2012
Memorize It: Learn Your Poem by Heart
2012
Recite It: Perform for an Audience
2012
Performance Tips from Jonathan Welstead and Anna Jiang
2011
