Students representing nine high schools will participate in the Southwest Washington regional competition of the Poetry Out Loud national recitation contest from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 2 at Educational Service District 112, 2500 N.E. 65th Ave.
The free public event, presented in partnership with the Washington State Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance and competition.
Students from the following schools will participate: Battle Ground High School, Camas High School, Cedar Tree Classical Christian School, Hayes Freedom High School, Heritage High School, Ridgefield High School, Stevenson High School, Trout Lake School and Vancouver School of Arts and Academics.
The top two finishers will advance to the state contest March 5 in Tacoma. The state champion will advance to the national finals May 2-4 in Washington, D.C., where $50,000 in awards and school stipends will be distributed. For regional details, call Kelly McPherson, 360-952-3474.
