Maine Students Shine at Poetry Out Loud Northern Regional Finals in Presque Isle

Winner to Advance to State Finals at the Waterville Opera House

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A full house gathered at the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library on Tuesday, February 3, for the 2026 Poetry Out Loud Northern Regional Finals, celebrating the power of poetry, performance, and student voice in northern Maine. The event was presented by the Maine Arts Commission in partnership with the Maine Humanities Council and was hosted by poet Maya Williams, State Poetry Out Loud Program Coordinator, who emceed the evening.

The regional competition brought together student performers representing their schools and communities through recitations of classic and contemporary poetry. The program opened with welcome remarks from Williams, followed by library leadership remarks welcoming students, families, and community members.

Student Recitations Showcase Range and Depth

Round One Recitations

Olivia Bate, Easton Junior/Senior High School — On Children by Kahlil Gibran

Persephone Kilcollins, Fort Kent Community High School — The Widow’s Lament in Springtime by William Carlos Williams

Silver Smith, County Players — Why We Oppose Women Travelling in Railway Trains by Alice Duer Miller

Following the first round, Williams offered a poetry reading for attendees, highlighting the living, evolving nature of poetic expression.

Round Two Recitations

Olivia Bate— If I Had Known by Alice Moore Dunbar-Nelson

Persephone Kilcollins— Fruit of the Flower by Countee Cullen

Silver Smith— Fire and Ice by Robert Frost

After deliberation by judges, Persephone Kilcollins of Fort Kent Community High School was named the Northern Regional Champion and will advance to represent northern Maine at the state finals.

Poetry as Community Connection

Following the competition, the evening concluded with a community open mic, where attendees shared original works alongside poems they had memorized in school years earlier. The open mic reinforced Poetry Out Loud’s role not only as a student competition, but as a community cultural experience that bridges generations through shared language and storytelling.

The Maine Arts Commission extends special thanks to the many individuals and partners who made the Northern Regional Finals possible, including the dedicated Poetry Out Loud students, teachers, and families who support this work. Additional thanks to Maine Poet Laureate Julia Bouwsma for her continued advocacy for poetry and literary arts across the state; the staff and team at the Presque Isle Public Library’s Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library for hosting the event; and to our judges, Elaine Sipe, Alana Margeson, Annelise Wardwell, and Annalise Jakimedes, whose time, expertise, and thoughtful evaluation help ensure a meaningful and supportive experience for all student participants.

Upcoming Poetry Out Loud Competitions

The Maine Arts Commission encourages the public to attend upcoming regional and statewide competitions:

Southern Regional Finals

Public Theatre, Lewiston

February 10 | 4 PM

Central Regional Finals

Next Generation Theatre, Brewer

February 18 | 4 PM

Maine State Finals

March 2, 2026

Waterville Opera House, Waterville

At the State Finals, regional champions from across Maine will compete for the opportunity to advance to the National Poetry Out Loud Finals in Washington, D.C.

About Poetry Out Loud

Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. In Maine, the program is coordinated by the Maine Arts Commission and reaches students in schools and communities across the state each year.

Through Poetry Out Loud, students develop public speaking skills, build confidence, and engage deeply with literature while connecting with audiences and communities across Maine.

Maine Arts Commission

The Maine Arts Commission fosters and encourages public interest and participation in the cultural heritage and artistic expression in our state. We pursue our mission through partnerships and collaborations, initiatives, advocacy, and grants for organizations, individual artists, communities, and schools throughout Maine.

Maine Humanities Council

The Maine Humanities Council, a statewide non-profit organization, uses the humanities—literature, history, philosophy, and culture—as a tool for positive change in Maine communities. Our programs and grants encourage critical thinking and conversations across social, economic, and cultural boundaries.