The Maine Poetry Out Loud State Finalists at the Waterville Opera House. From left: Maine Arts Commission Executive Director Amy Hausmann, Aaron Theriault, Aaron Soosman, Meghan Rivard, Cole Hickey, Pax Horn, Dashiell Legawiec, Celestine Luzitu, Silver Smith, Persephone Kilcollins, and Anjou Whitmore.
Explore Poetry Out Loud
Archived Season
2025-2026 Maine Poetry Out Loud
Explore highlights from Maine’s 2025-2026 Poetry Out Loud season, including the State Finals, student performances, photos, and other program materials.
Meghan Rivard Named 2026 Maine Poetry Out Loud State Champion
Pax Horn Named State Runner-Up
WATERVILLE, ME: High school senior Meghan Rivard of Maine Arts Academy in Augusta was named the 2026 Maine Poetry Out Loud State Champion on March 4 at the Waterville Opera House, competing with the top ten student poetry reciters in the state. Rivard represented Maine at the Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington, D.C., in April.
The State Runner-Up was Pax Horn of Hall-Dale High School, who delivered strong performances throughout the competition.
“This year’s finalists brought extraordinary focus, creativity, and courage to the stage,” said Amy Hausmann, Executive Director of the Maine Arts Commission. “Poetry Out Loud gives students an opportunity to explore language, voice, and meaning while building confidence in front of an audience. Watching these students bring poetry to life reminds us how vital the arts are to creativity and community.”
Rivard said the experience had been both surprising and inspiring.
“All of the finalists were so talented, and the performances were incredible,” Rivard said. “It really could have gone to anyone. Poetry Out Loud has been such a fun experience, discovering new poems, learning about the poets, and finding pieces that connect with you. I’m excited to represent Maine and meet students from around the country at the national finals.”
The 2025-2026 Maine Poetry Out Loud program engaged students across the state, culminating in semifinals held in Presque Isle, Lewiston, and Brewer. Ten finalists advanced to the Maine State Finals at the Waterville Opera House, performing classic poems from memory before a panel of judges.
Poetry Out Loud celebrated its 21st anniversary during the 2025-2026 season. Since 2005, more than 4.5 million high school students nationwide have participated, building public speaking skills, confidence, and appreciation for poetry.
2026 Maine Poetry Out Loud State Finalists
- Anjou Whitmore, South Portland High School
- Persephone Kilcollins, Fort Kent Community High School
- Silver Smith, Homeschooled
- Celestine Luzitu, Portland High School
- Dashiell Legawiec, Mt. Ararat High School
- Pax Horn, Hall-Dale High School, State Runner-Up
- Cole Hickey, Gardiner Area High School
- Meghan Rivard, Maine Arts Academy, State Champion
- Aaron Soosman, Carrabec High School
- Aaron Theriault, Waterville Senior High School
State Finals Judges and Emcee
The competition was emceed by Maine artist Violet Ferlito. Judges included Arisa White, poet and associate professor of English and Creative Writing at Colby College; Catie Joyce-Bulay, writer and mixed-media artist; and Jefferson Navicky, Maine poet, author and educator. Annaliese Jakimides served as Accuracy Judge.
Photos and Media
View photos from the 2026 Maine Poetry Out Loud State Finals.
For additional photos or video, contact Ryan Leighton, Communications Director for the Maine Arts Commission, at vog.eniam@nothgiel.j.nayr.
Resources for Teachers and Participants
Archived Season
2024-2025 Maine Poetry Out Loud
Explore highlights from Maine’s 2024-2025 Poetry Out Loud season and the 20th anniversary of the national program.
Pendo Dawe Crowned Maine State Champion at 20th Anniversary of Poetry Out Loud
WATERVILLE, MAINE: In a stunning showcase of talent, Pendo Dawe of Maine Coast Waldorf School was named the 2025 Maine Poetry Out Loud State Champion at the 20th anniversary of Poetry Out Loud on March 3 at the Waterville Opera House. Competing against ten of Maine’s most skilled high school reciters, Pendo captivated the judges and audience alike with her powerful and deeply felt performances, earning her the opportunity to represent Maine at the National Poetry Out Loud competition in Washington, D.C., on May 5.
“This year’s Poetry Out Loud competition featured a range of remarkable students who, with the unwavering support of their teachers, schools, friends, and families, poured months of dedication, grace and grit into their recitations,” said Amy Hausmann, Executive Director of the Maine Arts Commission. “Their courage, passion, and artistry move and inspired us. We know that creativity builds connection, and poetry helps us understand and shape our own stories, to be seen, to be heard, to make sense of the world around us. We congratulate all the competitors and wish Pendo luck in Washington D.C. in April.”
Pendo Dawe: A Rising Star in Poetry Recitation
Reflecting on her journey through Poetry Out Loud, Pendo shared how the experience changed the way she sees the world:
“Learning these poems has taught me to slow down and truly think about my words, what I’m putting out into the world. I’ve learned to pause, reflect, and question how my words make others feel. This process has also made me a better speaker. Poetry has given me a new way to see the world and express emotions that might otherwise go unspoken.”
Pendo’s recitations spanned themes of resilience, self-exploration, and global conflict, including Suppose by Phoebe Cary, It Faintly Lingers by Ann Joe Cheol, and Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear by Mosab Abu Toha, an epistolary poem that ponders the lingering impact of the poet’s life in a war zone.
“Every year, we are so impressed by the hard work and talent Maine’s students showcase at this event,” said Brita Wanger, Maine’s Poetry Out Loud Program Coordinator. “Pendo’s recitations were delivered with such excellence and with a clear understanding of each poet’s work. Truly, every participant brought their unique perspective and voice to their recitations, which is Poetry Out Loud at its best. We congratulate Pendo and all the finalists on their achievement this year.”
Poetry Out Loud begins at the school and community level, with students competing in classwide and schoolwide recitations. This year, 35 Maine schools participated, culminating in a historic expansion of the regional finals, with competitions held in Lewiston, Bangor, and, for the first time in the program’s history, Presque Isle.
2025 Maine Poetry Out Loud State Finalists
- Lilah Chibuye, Brewer High School
- Pendo Dawe, Maine Coast Waldorf School, State Champion
- Aspen Gauthier, Oak Hill High School
- Willow Knowles, Kennebunk High School
- Rose Lehane-Tureen, Cheverus High School, State Runner-Up
- Stella Martinelli, Erskine Academy
- Abigail McCrillis, Gorham High School
- Mercedes Plaud, Representing Northern Maine
- Lyra Ricciardone, Morse High School
- Aaron Soosman, Carrabec High School
- Isaac Wright, Mt. Ararat High School
State Finals Highlights
The evening was further elevated by a compelling keynote speech from Maine poet Arisa White, who spoke about poetry’s power to challenge, heal, and transform. White’s words resonated deeply, reinforcing poetry’s role as a force for change and self-discovery.
The competition was emceed by Becky Hallowell, Maine’s 2025 Teacher of the Year, whose passion for education and poetry inspired both students and spectators. Maine Poet Laureate Julia Bouwsma was also a guiding presence throughout the regional and state competitions, offering invaluable encouragement and reinforcing poetry’s enduring significance.
Following the State Finals
As Maine’s Poetry Out Loud State Champion, Pendo Dawe represented the state on the national stage on May 5 in Washington, D.C. The National Poetry Out Loud competition offered students the opportunity to gain national recognition, earn school stipends, and compete for a $20,000 scholarship.
Maine poetry enthusiasts also continued the celebration at Maine Poetry Celebration Day on April 4, 2025, in the Hall of Flags at the Maine State House. The event honored students from the 2025 Poetry Out Loud regional and state finals, featured live student recitations, and celebrated the WriteME poetry project, which brought together more than 200 poets from across Maine to share poetic letters during the winter of 2024-2025. Maine’s Poet Laureate, the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance, and the Maine Arts Commission participated in the celebration of poetry, creativity, and community.
Thank You to Our Partners
The Maine Arts Commission extends its deepest gratitude to all the students, teachers, judges, and volunteers who made the 2024-2025 season a success. Special thanks to the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and the Maine Humanities Council for their continued support in fostering creativity and literary excellence.
Archived Season
2023-2024 Maine Poetry Out Loud
Explore highlights from Maine’s 2023-2024 Poetry Out Loud season, including the State Finals and participating student reciters.
Abigail Case Named Maine Poetry Out Loud Champion
Poets, performers, educators, friends, and family gathered at the Olin Arts Center in Lewiston on March 13 to cheer on 10 finalists in the championship rounds of the Maine Poetry Out Loud State Finals. Following three rounds of poetry recitations, Abigail Case, Grade 11 of Hermon High School, was named the champion. She advanced to the national competition in Washington, D.C., that spring. Jaime Bueya-Mbiyavanga of Portland High School was named the runner-up.
After two years of virtual competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Poetry Out Loud returned to a live event. At the Maine State Finals, Portland Poet Laureate Maya Williams and former Poetry Out Loud state champion Allan Monga co-hosted the event. Maine Poet Laureate Julia Bouwsma delivered a comedic and inspirational keynote speech and read one of her original poems. Janoah “The Jester” Bailin entertained the crowd between rounds of recitation.
Judges Professor Ian-Khara Ellasante, Jeri Theriault, Janet Mitchko, and Todd McKinley carefully evaluated each performance. Recitations were scored based on voice and articulation, dramatic appropriateness, evidence of understanding, accuracy, and overall performance. At the state and national finals, each participant memorized and recited three poems. One poem was required to be 25 lines or fewer, and one had to be written before the 20th century.
2024 Maine Poetry Out Loud State Finalists
- Jaime Bueya-Mbiyavanga, Portland High School, State Runner-Up
- Abigail Case, Hermon High School, State Champion
- Mackenzie Chaput, Gardiner Area High School
- Marcus Gallagher, Oak Hill High School
- Willow Knowles, Kennebunk High School
- Lyra Legawiec, Mt. Ararat High School
- Innana Piccininni, Bangor High School
- John Punnachalil, Oceanside High School
- Charlotte Schatz, Maine Coast Waldorf School
- Alice Willette, Waterville Senior High School
State Finals Highlights
At the conclusion of the Maine State Finals, Maine Teacher of the Year Matt Bernstein handed out the awards and announced the winners. Abigail Case went on to represent Maine at the national competition in Washington, D.C., where students competed for national awards and school stipends.
Twenty Maine schools and 2,440 students participated in the 2023-2024 Maine Poetry Out Loud program.
2024 State Finals: Photos
Explore images from the 2024 Maine Poetry Out Loud State Finals and celebrate the students, educators, and community members who took part in the competition.
