Poetry Out Loud uses a pyramid structure that begins at the classroom level. Teachers organize contests with one class or can involve a whole school. Winners from each participating school will advance to the state finals to be held Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Columbus, OH, in the Matesich Theatre at Ohio Dominican University. The winner at the state level will receive $300 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington to compete for the national championship. The state winner's school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. Two runners-up will receive a cash prize for themselves and for their school libraries. Additionally, a total of $50,000 in scholarships and school stipends will be awarded to the winners at the National Finals. The National Finals will be held in Washington, DC, April 29-30, 2013.

2012-2013 Poetry Out Loud State Contest Agenda 2012-2013 Poetry Out Loud Event Timeline Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest CBS coverage of 2009 Poetry Out Loud National Competition WOSU ArtZine video about Poetry Out Loud

2012 Ohio Poetry Out Loud Champion Makala White at the POL state Finals in Columbus, OH.   Photo by Todd Callentine   Program Overview | FAQs | State Contest Past Contests | Partners | Press Room   Get involved in this exciting program today! Register Ohio's Poetry Out Loud State Champions   Jackson Hille ('06) Tony Jackson ('07) Rachel Chandler ('08) Mido Aly ('09) Lynsay Strahorn ('10) Caira Lee ('11)     Click here to follow Ohio Poetry Out Loud on Twitter. Click here for Ohio Poetry Out Loud's Facebook page.