Arizona PBS to Host 2016 Arizona Poetry Out Loud Competition

WHAT:  Arizona PBS invites the public to watch high school students from across the state compete in the 2016 Arizona Poetry Out Loud competition, which challenges students to blend elements of slam poetry and theater into performance-driven readings of classic English poems. The Poetry Out Loud competition aims to encourage students to enhance their public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about their literary heritage.

The winner of the competition will represent Arizona in the regional Poetry Out Loud semifinals for the upper northwest and western region of the country. The winners of the semifinals will advance to the national finals competition in Washington, D.C.

WHO:  The 2016 Poetry Out Loud Arizona finalists:

Central finalists: Edel Healy (Xavier College Preparatory) Karina Morris (AAEC-PV High School) Anisa Myers (American Leadership Academy)

Hunter Hazelton (Betty Fairfax High School)

Northern finalists: Sophie Weinzinger (Coconino High School) Hannah Heiden (Kingman High School)

Carly Smith (Coconino High School)

Southern finalists: Caitlin McCormick (The Gregory School) Edgardo Flores (Villa Oasis)

Deja Brown (Sonoran Science Academy)

WHERE:  Arizona PBS Studios, 555 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004, 6th floor

WHEN:  Friday, March 11, at 7 p.m. (Highlights from the competition will air on Arizona PBS in a 30-minute special on April 15 at 9 p.m.)

PHOTO OPPS:  The 2016 Poetry Out Loud Arizona finalists showing off their performance skills on stage, and vying for the chance to advance to the next phase in the national competition.

Media Contact:  Colleen O’Donnell Pierce
[email protected]
(602) 496-0579
(602) 478-3867 (cell)

About Arizona PBS

Arizona PBS is a trusted community resource.  For over 55 years, the PBS station has focused on educating children, reporting in-depth on public affairs, fostering lifelong learning and celebrating arts and culture. Arizona PBS achieves its mission through the power of non-commercial television, the Internet, educational outreach and community-based initiatives. Its signal reaches 80 percent of the homes in Arizona. With more than 1 million viewers weekly, Arizona PBS consistently ranks among the most-viewed public television stations per capita in the country. For more information, visit azpbs.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest or Tumblr.

Arizona PBS is a member-supported community service of Arizona State University and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

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