Poetry Out Loud: Illinois State Contest

On March 2, 2026, Illinois high schoolers will compete for the title of state champion and a trip to the national finals in Washington D.C.

The National Endowment for the Arts partners with state arts agencies to support Poetry Out Loud, a competition that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through analysis, memorization, and recitation. The program helps teens master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage and contemporary issues.

The 2026 season marks the 21st anniversary of Poetry Out Loud and takes place in all 50 states, American Samoa, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since the program began in 2005, more than 4.4 million students and 81,000 teachers from 20,000 schools across the U.S. have participated in Poetry Out Loud.