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Release: Poetry Out Loud Winner Advances to State

John F. Kennedy High School Student Wins Competition

SCOE Press Release
Posted February 24, 2023

Contact: Xanthi Soriano, Executive Director, Communications
Phone: (279) 789-1601 • Email: xsoriano@scoe.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, February 16, 2023

 

Sacramento, CA –The Sacramento County Office of Education announces Alex Yue from John F. Kennedy High School (Sacramento City USD) as the winner of the 2023 Sacramento County Poetry Out Loud competition. Julia Smith from Elk Grove High School (Elk Grove USD) was selected as the Sacramento County runner-up. Yue will now represent Sacramento County in this year’s California Poetry Out Loud competition, which will be held virtually in March.

The Sacramento County winner, Alex Yue, chose to recite “Filling Station” by Elizabeth Bishop and “The Conqueror Worm” by Edgar Allan Poe. Runner-up Julia Smith recited “Miss You. Would Like to Grab That Chilled Tofu We Love.” by Gabrielle Calvocoressi, and “The Coming Woman” by Mary Weston Fordham.

“In today’s complex world, our voices and feelings can easily become lost whereas poetry lends guidance and the chance to be heard,” said Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon. “Poetry fosters trust and empathy in the classroom, at school, and within our community.”

During the two-round county competition, five participants took turns reciting two poems of their choosing. The finals were held at Rosemont High School on February 23. The recitations were scored by a panel of judges.

Finalists

  • Isis Fowler, Inderkum High School (Natomas USD)
  • Samantha La, Natomas Charter School (Natomas USD)
  • Leah Nelson, Grant Union High School (Twin Rivers USD)
  • Julia Smith, Elk Grove High School (Elk Grove USD)
  • Alex Yue, John F. Kennedy High School (Sacramento City USD)

About Poetry Out Loud

The Sacramento County Poetry Out Loud competition encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. The program provides students with the opportunity to perform poetry in English classes. Modeled after the National Spelling Bee structure, students start by competing in their local schools. The winners progress to regional and state competitions, with state winners competing at the national level. Poetry Out Loud was launched nationwide in 2006.

About the Sacramento County Office of Education

The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE), plays a leadership role in the delivery of quality education to the students in Sacramento County, which is home to the California state capital comprising 1.4 million residents and seven cities. SCOE directly educates more than 30,000 children and adults each year—including thousands of district teachers who attend training sessions and workshops. It provides support services to more than 247,000 students in 13 school districts, four of which are some of the state’s largest. SCOE provides technical assistance, curriculum and instructional support, staff development, legal and financial advice, and oversight to Sacramento County school districts. Its programs and services are available to schools, districts, and other county offices of education across the region.

Considered a leader of the Capital Service Region—a 10-county area consisting of Alpine, Colusa, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba Counties—SCOE is one of 58 county offices of education in California. SCOE staff work year-round providing services which complement and supplement those offered by public school districts in Sacramento County.

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