Valley Stream North High School held its eighth annual Poetry Out Loud competition, continuing a tradition that celebrates the art of spoken word and encourages students to engage with poetry through performance.
This year’s competition, held on Jan. 14, marked an expansion of the program, as students from grades 7 through 12 participated.
The Poetry Out Loud competition at Valley Stream North has grown significantly since its inception, starting with just two participants in a small classroom setting. Over the years, it has evolved into a major school event held in the library, drawing an audience of nearly 60 students and staff members this year.
The decision to include seventh- and eighth graders for the first time followed New York State’s decision to discontinue its participation in the Poetry Out Loud program. Rather than eliminate the event, Valley Stream North chose to continue the competition independently within the district. This change gave the school greater flexibility to run the program, enabling it to expand eligibility and include younger students who had previously been unable to participate.
Lori Belbol, chair of the English Department, and Sofia Owen, an English teacher and the Poetry Out Loud coordinator, emphasized that the competition has become a significant event within the school community.
“We like having Poetry Out Loud in our school, because it represents our students, and all the students are able to have this shared experience, because we have all different types of students competing,” Owen said. “We have [English Language Learners] students competing, we have students in the special ed program competing, you have your athletes, you have your scholars, you have all different kinds of kids who just want to express themselves through poetry. And it is also a great opportunity for students to practice their public speaking skills, their ability to express themselves and to just kind of show their classmates what they can do.”
The event is judged by members of the Valley Stream North English Department, who evaluate performances based on a rubric that includes public speaking skills, clarity of expression, memorization accuracy and interpretation of the poem. Beyond the competitive aspect, the experience is valued for helping students gain confidence and pride in their ability to stand before an audience and convey meaningful messages through poetry.
Belbol and Owen noted that Poetry Out Loud offers students a unique experience distinct from traditional classroom instruction. It develops literary analysis, interpretation and memorization skills while encouraging self-expression in a supportive environment. They underscored the importance of continuing to celebrate spoken word and performance poetry in schools, especially as many students find success and confidence through participation.
This year’s competition recognized three top performers: first place went to senior Saniya Smiley, second to junior Osayware Ogbemudia and third to junior Kahel Mathieu.
Smiley, performing Langston Hughes’s “Mr. Man,” participated for the first time and was initially motivated by the opportunity for extra credit. However, the process of preparing and performing inspired her to pursue the competition seriously. She rehearsed in front of friends who provided feedback and helped her build confidence.
Despite initial nervousness, Smiley found the experience empowering and said that performing a poem she personally related to helped her connect with the material and audience.
“I actually didn’t think I was going to win first place at all,” Smiley said. “It’s not something I do on the regular. I don’t do public speaking. But winning first place really gave me the confidence.”
She encouraged future participants not to be afraid and to take part for their own growth.
Ogbemudia, who performed Ezra Pound’s “A Pact,” has been involved in Poetry Out Loud since ninth grade. Inspired by her older sister, who participated when she was in high school, she selects poems by studying their meaning and context. Her preparation involved daily memorization and repeated recitation of the poem’s stanzas. She welcomed the inclusion of younger competitors this year, viewing it as an opportunity to encourage new voices and perspectives in poetry.
“I would say it’s honorable that younger students competed, especially since other kids can be mean,” Ogbemudia said. “And I’m really happy that they were able to stand there and perform their poem.”
Placing second was a pleasant surprise, and she credited the competition with enhancing her memorization skills, her performance confidence and her ability to engage deeply with poetry. Ogbemudia advised younger students to embrace mistakes such as forgetting lines as part of the learning and performing process, emphasizing the importance of authenticity.
Mathieu, performing Emily Dickinson’s “’Hope’ Is the Thing With Feathers,” competed for the first time, motivated by the encouragement of his English teachers and the desire to achieve recognition.
“I felt like other students who speak English better than me would win,” Mathieu said. “And they (his teachers) said, ‘Don’t say that to yourself, be confident and do it for fun.’ They really pushed me.”
He focused on daily practice, rehearsing in front of family, teachers and friends. Though initially anxious about performing in front of an audience, Mathieu found strength in his teachers’ encouragement and ultimately enjoyed the experience. Placing third was a meaningful accomplishment for him, and he expressed interest in competing again next year to win. His advice to fellow students was to trust themselves, be confident and not limit their potential.
The top two winners, Smiley and Ogbemudia, will advance to represent Valley Stream North in the upcoming district-level competition scheduled for March.
As the program grows, the school remains committed to supporting all students who wish to explore poetry and public speaking, ensuring Poetry Out Loud remains a vibrant and valued tradition at Valley Stream North High School.
