Local students finalists in Poetry Out Loud state championship
Jasper High School student Bernadine Dure and Forest Park Jr./Sr. High School student Alyssa Hasselbring were both named as finalists in the state contest of Poetry Out Loud.
A program of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) presented locally in partnership with the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) and administered by Mid Atlantic Arts, Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country. Since the program began in 2005, more than 4.5 million students across the country have participated in Poetry Out Loud. On Feb. 21, 11 high school students participated in the Poetry Out Loud contest in downtown Indianapolis.
Poetry Out Loud is designed to improve public speaking skills, build confidence, and teach about literary history. In recognition of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, student competitors recite works they memorized from a poetry anthology that celebrates historic American voices, curated by the NEA.
At the Indiana Historical Society, students recited works selected from the anthology. Judges evaluated student performances on criteria including voice and articulation, evidence of understanding, and accuracy. The judges for this year’s competition were Indiana State Poet Laureate Curtis Crisler; local poet Sam Ferrante; Indianapolis-based teacher and writer Mitchell L.H. Douglas; Hoosier writer Samantha Fain; Bloomington poet Hiromi Yoshida, with Tony Brewer as the accuracy judge.
“Watching these hardworking students bring their best to the competition every year always leaves me feeling inspired,” said Megan Telligman, director of programs at Indiana Humanities. “It’s clear that each participant has found meaning in poetry and a connection with their peers, and we’re thankful for our partnerships with the Indiana Arts Commission and Poetry Out Loud who help make this opportunity possible.”
Winners of the event are Jayda Dawn from University High School (Carmel) in first place and Mina Dioubate from Franklin Central High School (Indianapolis) in second place.
Jayda Dawn will receive $200 and advance to the national Poetry Out Loud contest this spring in Washington D.C., where $50,000 in awards and school stipends will be distributed, including a $20,000 cash award for the Poetry Out Loud National Champion. University High School will receive $500 for the purchase of poetry materials. Mina Dioubate will receive $100, with $200 for Franklin Central High School.
Bernadine Dure is a senior who enjoys reading, analyzing, and reciting poems. In her free time she enjoys reading, painting, and helping those who speak Haitian Creole (as she herself does) to cultivate a close relationship with God. Poetry Out Loud has always been a competition that intrigued her and she is glad to be participating.
Alyssa Hasselbring is a sophomore at Forest Park High School. She enjoys playing clarinet, singing for choir, being a part of the drama club, and reading. She is involved with multiple groups and activities. She sees poetry as a way to express herself through someone else’s art, while allowing you to connect with others.
The complete list of finalists for the state competition on Feb. 21 is as follows:
· Ali L. Young, CSA New Tech High School, Columbus
· Isabella Guthrie, West Washington Jr./Sr. High School, Campbellsburg
· Jayda Dawn, University High School, Carmel
· Fatima Abdul-Rahman, Homestead High School, Fort Wayne
· Gavin Lacefield, Early College High School, Evansville
· Mina Dioubate, Franklin Central High School, Indianapolis
· Annabelle Ulrich, Columbia City High School, Columbia City
· Bernadine Dure, Jasper High School, Jasper
· Kara Allen Indiana Digital Gateway Academy, New Albany
· Julie Yousfi, West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School, West Lafayette
· Alyssa Hasselbring, Forest Park Jr./Sr. High School, Ferdinand
