VI Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, has organized Poetry Out Loud (POL), which encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance and competition. Poetry Out Loud seeks to foster the next generation of literary readers by capitalizing on the resurgence of poetry recitation and performance. The program focuses on poetry as an oral art form as reflected in slam poetry movement and the immense popularity of rap music among youth.
On March 9, champions in both school districts will participate in the POL State Competition at the Prior-Jolleck Hall at Antilles School. The winner will advance to the National Finals, which will take place April 29 through May 3 in Washington, D.C. Virgin Islands Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts and Poetry Foundation will award cash prizes and all expenses for the student and chaperone trip to D.C. The state champion and second place winner’s school will receive funds for the purchase of poetry books.
On the national level, a total of $50,000 will be awarded. The national champion winner will receive $20,000; the second-place winner will receive $10,000 and the third-place winner will receive $5,000. The fourth to ninth place finalists will each receive $1,000, and their schools will receive $500 for the purchase of poetry books.