Pacific Grove student takes first prize in California Poetry Out Loud

Arwa Awan, a senior at Pacific Grove High School, took first place in the 2013 California state finals of Poetry Out Loud and will represent the Golden State in Washington DC at the national finals this spring. Connor Ricketts, a freshman at Charter University Prep in El Dorado County, was the first runner-up and would represent California in the national finals if Awan was unable to attend. Shane Anderson, a sophomore at Bear River High School in Nevada County, was the second runner-up.

"The California Poetry Out Loud state final is an extremely competitive contest, and all the county champions are remarkable young men and women," said Craig Watson, Director of the California Arts Council. "The width and breadth of California's diversity and creativity is well represented in these talented young men and women who participated today, and we are delighted that Arwa will represent California in the national finals."

This year marks the eighth time the California Arts Council has produced the annual competition -- the largest of its kind in the nation, with over 40,000 students in approximately 35 California counties participating. The program encourages high school students to learn about poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. The California state final is the culminating competition in California between county winners who have shown their merit in the classroom, school, district, and county (a pyramid competition structure similar to the spelling bee).

Awan, as the California Poetry Out Loud champion, receives $200 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). She will go on to compete in Washington, DC, later this spring, and her school will receive $500 for books. Ricketts, as the runner-up, receives $100 from the NEA, and $200 for books at his school.

For more information about the event, click here.

Way to go, Arwan! Good luck in the national competition. We'll be cheering for you! Arwan's photo by Brian Baer