Poetry Out Loud (POL) is a free national program that helps high school students master public speaking, build self-confidence, and connect with their literary heritage—all while competing for recognition and scholarship opportunities.
2025-2026 Santa Barbara County Finals
The 2025-2026 Santa Barbara County Finals brought together students to celebrate poetry, performance, and the spoken word.
Congratulations to all students who participated in the 2025-2026 Santa Barbara County Poetry Out Loud Finals, and special congratulations to Righetti High School students Jaslyn Lomibao, 2026 Santa Barbara County Poetry Out Loud Champion, and Alicia Blanco Bautista, Runner-Up.
About Poetry Out Loud
Since 2006, we’ve proudly presented Poetry Out Loud in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council, and the Poetry Foundation. Each year, millions of students across the country participate, and California hosts the largest and most exciting competition of all.
2025 POL County Champion, Alicia Blanco Bautista, with CA Arts Council Chair, Roxanne Messina Captor, CA Poet Laureate Lee Herrick, and CA Arts Council Executive Director Danielle Brazell at the State Competition in Sacramento
Poetry Out Loud gives students the opportunity to explore poetry, build confidence through public speaking and performance, and compete for recognition at the school, county, state, and national levels.
Timeline
SCHOOL REGISTRATION DEADLINE
September 30, 2026
STUDENT REGISTRATION DEADLINE
October 30, 2026
COUNTY COMPETITION
November 18, 2026
Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors Hearing Room
105 E Anapamu St. 4th Floor, Santa Barbara
CA STATE FINALS
February 28 – March 1, 2027
Sacramento, CA
NATIONAL FINALS
April 26 – April 28, 2027
Washington, D.C.
Competition Structure
Modeled after a spelling bee, Poetry Out Loud begins each fall in classrooms across the country and advances through county, state, and national competitions.
STEP 1
School Competitions
High school teachers introduce students to poetry recitation and organize classroom and school-wide competitions.
STEP 2
County Competition
School champions compete at the Santa Barbara County competition for the opportunity to advance to the California State Finals.
STEP 3
California
State Finals
County winners travel to Sacramento to compete in the State Finals alongside students from across the state.
STEP 4
National
Finals
State champions advance to Washington, D.C., where students across the country compete for the national title.
Participation & Resources
Poetry Out Loud provides opportunities for students, educators, and schools to engage with poetry through performance, public speaking, and classroom learning. Explore registration details, educator resources, and accessibility tools to support participation at every stage of the program.
ELIGIBILITY & REGISTRATION
Any public or private high school in California is encouraged to participate. Homeschooled students may join a registered high school’s contest or coordinate a group competition with other homeschoolers.
We encourage schools throughout Santa Barbara County to participate. Whether your school has a large program or just a few interested students, Poetry Out Loud is designed to be flexible and accessible for schools of all sizes.
EDUCATOR RESOURCES
Educators can access free program materials, including the Teacher’s and Organizer’s Guide, to support classroom participation and school competitions.
Additional resources include poetry anthologies, lesson support materials, recitation guidance, and national program information designed to help teachers introduce poetry in engaging and accessible ways.
ACCESSIBILITY
Poetry Out Loud encourages participation from all students, including those with disabilities, and provides resources to support inclusive classroom and competition experiences.
Accommodations, accessibility guidance, and inclusive participation practices are available to help ensure students can fully engage with the program at every level.
For more information email contact@sbac.ca.gov
Past Santa Barbara County Champions
Santa Barbara County students have represented the region at the California Poetry Out Loud State Finals since 2006, demonstrating excellence in poetry recitation, performance, and public speaking.
Recent Santa Barbara County champions are highlighted below.
2025
Alicia Blanco Bautista
Righetti High School
2024
Anna Matthews
Dos Pueblos High School
2023
Lucus Hsiung
Righetti High School
2022
Sierra Mayoral
Carpinteria High School
2021
Sierra Mayoral
Carpinteria High School
2020
Jenelle Zubiate
Orcutt Academy High School
2019
Ivy Hatter
Pioneer Valley High School
2018
Josie Allen
Orcutt Academy High School
2017
Chloe Sheley
Orcutt Academy High School
2016
Camila Lemer
Laguna Blanca High School
2023 POL County Champion, Lucus Hsiung during the 2022-2023 Santa Barbara County Competition