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New Mexico Arts is the state arts agency and a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs. New Mexico Poetry Out Loud is made possible by New Mexico Arts through support from the National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation.
Source: New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs
Photo: Courtesy Lensic Performing Arts Center
Santa Fe, NM – New Mexico Arts announces the state finals for the 20th anniversary of Poetry Out Loud®. On Sunday, March 16, 1:00 p.m., nine high school students from across New Mexico will participate in the competition. Held for the first time ever at the Lensic Performing Arts Center, 211 W. San Francisco St., Santa Fe, NM, the event is free and open to all ages to watch the performances.
The following high school students will be representing their school at the Poetry Out Loud New Mexico Final:
- Delilah Ruth – Arrowhead Park Early College High School, Las Cruces
- Nakia Thomas – Carlsbad High School, Carlsbad
- Vincent Valenzuela – Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School, Albuquerque
- Samuel Bentley – Estancia Valley Classical Academy, Edgewood
- Juliet Perez – La Cueva High School, Albuquerque
- Sam Roberts – Portales High School, Portales
- Kaitlyn Lubega – United World College-USA, Montezuma
- Stacey Asonganyi – V. Sue Cleveland High School, Rio Rancho
- Taylor Milladge – Volcano Vista High School, Albuquerque
The winner of the Poetry Out Loud New Mexico finals will receive $200, and the winner’s representing school or organization will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry materials.
In addition to the cash prize, the New Mexico champion will receive an expense-paid trip to represent New Mexico at the Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington, DC, May 5 – 7, 2025. In total, $50,000 in awards and school/organization stipends, including a $20,000 award for the Poetry Out Loud National Champion, will be presented.
The 20th Anniversary celebration will include 2024 Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellow, Hermelinda Hernandez Monjaras from Fresno, CA, a recognition ceremony of the previous 20 New Mexico State Champions, New Mexico Poetry Ourselves award winners, and the debut of the Phyllis Kennedy Teacher’s Award. Capitol High School’s Guitar Ensemble will also perform at the State Finals event.
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Presented in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, Poetry Out Loud® is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country.
