Heart of Art: 2025 Poetry Out Loud
The Historic Grammar School in Sutter Creek buzzed this weekend with quiet anticipation as contestants took the stage, gathered their confidence, and began their delivery. Their voices were strong or soft, their movements bold or muted, and their performance was a reflection of their interpretation of their chosen poems. Each contestant, (MJ Martinez, Haylo Hill, Angelica Bowman, Brooke Dillian, Angela Johnston, and Madison Noelle) had two opportunities to wow their judges with their recitation abilities.
This is the magic of Poetry Out Loud, a national poetry recitation contest that challenges students to memorize and perform works from an anthology of classic and contemporary poets. The program goes beyond public speaking, encouraging young people to connect deeply with the poems they select. It’s a transformative experience, sparking confidence, interpretation skills and a lifelong appreciation for the power of language.
It would be difficult to judge such a performance. Margaret Lewis, the current Amador County Poet Laureate and one of this year’s POL judges, shared her perspective on evaluating the performances.
“Judging is about understanding how students interpret the poem—how their embodiment of the words translates their connection to it. It’s not just about acting. It’s about showing they truly understand the written word through their movements, diction and presence,” said Lewis.
Lewis enjoys seeing how this generation of high school students connects to poetry and thereby words, listening and communicating. “I love seeing how students interpret poetry—it may not be exactly how I understand it, but watching their unique perspective come through, combined with their physical movement and diction, shows their connection to the poem in a powerful way.”
MJ Martinez, a 12th grader at Argonaut High School, and winner of this year’s competition, said that for her, the connection to poetry runs deep. “My grandmother would read poetry to me when I was younger, and I always admired her—how beautiful and deep she would go into it,” said Martinez. Her love for poetry flourished further when her drama teacher encouraged her to participate in Poetry Out Loud.
Poetry becomes a personal story, even when the words belong to another. This sentiment is at the heart of the Poetry Out Loud experience. “When you’re reciting, it opens up your mind to places you had no idea about. It’s a good way to tell your story—even though it’s somebody else’s words, you’re putting your mind and heart into it and making it your own,” said Martinez.
Poetry Out Loud reminds us of the universal power of storytelling and the profound connections it fosters. It’s a gift—not only for the students but for everyone who has the privilege of listening.
“Whether or not it’s about winning, this competition gives kids the chance to stand on stage, speak publicly, and build confidence,” said Lewis. “These skills carry over into their adult lives, opening doors for them to be seen and heard in ways they might not have thought possible.”
The 2025 Amador County Poetry Out Loud competition was supported by California Arts Council and the Amador County Arts Council.
Amador Arts has been supporting, promoting, and paying artists since 1982, uplifting arts and culture for all peoples in Amador County, which resides on the traditional lands of the Me-Wuk, Miwok and Miwuk peoples. Visit our website to learn more: amadorarts.org.
