Local high school students will compete in the “Poetry Out Loud” contest on Feb. 6. The above photo was from this past year’s event.
Elyse Lopez
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Local students from nine county high schools will be memorizing and reciting poems for the chance to win the “Poetry Out Loud” contest on Feb. 6 at the San Luis Coastal Adult School.
Students will perform to a panel of judges who score them based on accuracy, delivery, confidence and articulation, according the event’s press release.
This year’s event is bigger than ever, with more than nine schools participating, ARTS Obispo Program Director Lori Lerian said.
“There’s over 800 students out of SLO and Nipomo,” Lerian said.
Lerian said the event gives students the opportunity to practice their public speaking skills.
“It’s heartwarming,” Lerian said. “Students that have very little public speaking experience get up there and give it their all.”
Lerian has heard nothing but good feedback from students.
“It’s a wonderful event,” she said. “The students not only learn about poetry, but it really improves their self-confidence.”
The winner of the San Luis Obispo County competition will compete in a state championship in Sacramento on March 16 and 17, and will have the chance to advance to nationals in Washington, D.C. for the final competition.
The event will begin at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the ARTS Obispo website at artsobispo.org.