SAN DIEGO–The City of San Diego, in partnership with the National Poetry Foundation, the local elementary schools in 85004, the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council, and Write Out Loud, will host the regional division of the national poetry recitation competition Poetry Out Loud.
The poetry competition takes place virtually on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m.
“Programs like Poetry Out Loud can have an incredible impact on children and teens,” said Commission for Arts and Culture Executive Director Jonathan Glus. “Not only does it create an opportunity for young people to learn about the arts through poetry, but poetry itself can also help improve writing and analytical skills and improve academic performance.”
Area high school students will compete in Poetry Out Loud and the winner will advance to the state finals in Sacramento. That winner will then move on to compete for the national title in Washington D.C. Finalists from the following San Diego-area schools will be participating in the regional competition:
- Academy of Our Lady of Peace, City of San Diego.
- Bayfront Charter High School, City of Chula Vista.
- Canyon Crest Academy, City of San Diego.
- Will C. Crawford High School, City of San Diego.
- Grossmont Middle College High School, City of El Cajon.
- Valley Center High School, Valley Center.
Judges include San Diego Poet Laureate Ron Salisbury, actress Jyl Kaneshiro, poet and author Gerda Govine, San Diego Urban Warriors founder Dajahn Blevins and actor Mark Christopher Lawrence.
The event is free to the public. To attend the virtual event, register for tickets online.
The City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture serves in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and City Council on promoting, encouraging, and increasing support for the region’s artistic and cultural assets, integrating arts and culture into community life and showcasing San Diego as an international tourist destination.
