Rallies/Assemblies, and performances
Poetry Out loud
in partnership with yolo COunty Arts council
Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation competition that encourages high school students to engage with poetry through memorization and performance. It fosters public speaking skills, self-confidence, and a deeper appreciation for literary art. Participants compete at the local, regional, and national levels, with opportunities for scholarships and recognition.
Poems to recite can be found here> Poetry Out Loud Poems
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This year Beats Lyrics Leaders and YOLO Arts are hosting a YOLO County Poetry Out Loud Competition with money to be won!!! This year we will include school assemblies, lunchtime hype sessions, teacher involvement, and leadership participation. If you are in YOLO county and your school is interested make sure you reach out to J. Ross at beatslyricsleaders@gmail.com for more information Poetry Out Loud and the National competition go to www.poetryoutloud.org
School Assemblies
School Assemblies: R.A.P. (Rhythm and Poetry)
a) The Evolution of Poetry into Hip Hop: Explore the rich history of poetry and its transformation into the vibrant culture of Hip Hop.
b) The Art of Storytelling Through Hip Hop: Discover how Hip Hop serves as a powerful medium for storytelling, connecting personal and collective narratives.
c) Building Confidence in Performance Arts: Learn how to express yourself confidently through performance, using the power of words and rhythm.
We'll dive into interactive activities like Tongue Twisters and explore various poetry performances, spanning from 19th-century classics to the modern verses of Kendrick Lamar. Together, we’ll uncover how poetry has paved the way for our voices to be heard.
Zoom poetry room
November 25th, 26th, and 27th 1:00-3:00 pm
Located on Zoom. Sign ups are here. Zoom link will be provided once verified.
Free for High School Students.
Sign up here.
Workshops will consist of:
1.) Students will learn how to interpret poetry. How do we bring our poetry to life? The dramatization of poetry through
2.) Students will learn how to compete for the Poetry Out Loud Competition. Students will pick three poems and master the art of spoken poetry.
POetry out loud at the barn
December 18th, 19th, and 20th 1:30-4:30 pm
Located at the Gibson House 512 Gibson Rd. Woodland, CA 95695
Free for High School Students
Sign up here.
Workshops will consist of:
1.) Students will learn how to interpret poetry. How do we bring our poetry to life? The dramatization of poetry through
2.) Students will learn how to compete for the Poetry Out Loud Competition. Students will pick three poems and master the art of spoken poetry.
Poetry out loud competition
On December 20th you will see these students give their all as they compete in YOLO County's Poetry Out Loud 2025 Competition, in partnership with YOLO County Arts and Beats Lyrics Leaders.
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Poetry Out Loud: Rules and Guidelines
Poetry Out Loud (POL) is a national poetry recitation competition that celebrates the power of spoken word. To ensure fairness and consistency at all levels of the contest, students must adhere to the following guidelines.
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Eligibility
The competition is open to students in grades 9 through 12. Schools wishing to participate must register with their state arts agency. Students will compete at the school level first, with winners advancing to regional, state, and eventually national competitions.
Poem Selection
Participants are required to choose their poems from the official Poetry Out Loud anthology, which is available on the Poetry Out Loud website. Each student must select three poems for their recitation. One poem must be 25 lines or fewer, another must be written before the 20th century, and the third can be any poem from the anthology. Students have the freedom to decide the order in which they recite their poems.
Recitation
Students must memorize and recite their chosen poems without the use of notes or prompts. Recitations will be judged based on several criteria, including physical presence, voice and articulation, dramatic appropriateness, evidence of understanding, overall performance, and accuracy. Students are not allowed to use props, costumes, or music during their recitations.
Judging Criteria
Judges use a standardized scoring rubric to evaluate each recitation. The key areas of judgment include physical presence, confidence, body language, voice and articulation (such as volume, pace, and clarity), dramatic appropriateness, the student’s interpretation of the poem, overall performance, and the accuracy of the word-for-word recitation.
Sign up to compete
