FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The Kentucky Arts Council will be hosting the state finals for the Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest.  On March 13 at 10:00 a.m. EST, 15 high school students from 15 high schools will compete at the Hill Student Center on the campus of Kentucky State University, Frankfort.  The winner of this competition will advance to the National Finals in Washington, DC on April 30 and May 1, 2006, where $50,000 in scholarships and school prizes will be awarded.

The competition presented in partnership with the National Endowment for the Art and the Poetry Foundation, is part of a national program that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance, and competition.

The winning student from each of the 15 schools in Kentucky that will compete are: Robbie McMath, Beechwood High School; Joe Gunning, Bethlehem High School; Robin M. Owens, Carroll County High School; Jake Holder, Collegiate High School; Brent Morrison, Glasgow High School; Megan Gandy, Hart County High School; Hannah Jacobs, Harvest Christian Academy; Tasia York, Monticello Independent School; Sarah Whisman, Montgomery County High School; Erica Martin, Ohio County High School; Danielle DiMuro, Simon Kenton High School; Traci Stewart, Powell County High School; Dean Muir, Trimble County High School; Emmanuel Nfor, Western Hills High School and Lauren Oberg, Westport TAPP.

Kentucky Poet Laureate Emeritus Richard Taylor, poet Crystal Wilkinson and poet Sarah Gorham will serve as judges.  Special guest John H. Hewett Director of Development for the National Endowment for the Arts will also attend the Kentucky Finals and award the state’s finalists.

“Poetry Out Loud has been a wonderful opportunity to engage Kentucky high school students with great poetry and the literary arts,” said Kentucky Arts Council Executive Director Lori Meadows.  “The Arts Council is pleased to be a part of this national program.”

For more information, visit www.poetryoutloud.org.