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 will represent 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 has 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.”
This year’s 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, created by the National Endowment for the Arts, is celebrating its 21st anniversary. 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
- 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
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 video of participating students are available upon request. Contact Ryan Leighton, Communications Director for the Maine Arts Commission, at vog.eniam@nothgiel.j.nayr.
Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages high school students to learn about poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. The program is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Maine Arts Commission and the Maine Humanities Council.
About the National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide. By advancing opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States. Visit arts.gov to learn more.
Resources for Teachers and Participants
KEY DATES
Note: Zoom Poetry Sessions were open to both Poetry Out Loud students and non-students.
14
January
Contemporary Black Poetry Sessions
Zoom
15
January
Contemporary American Poets Laureate
Zoom
16
January
Contemporary Poetics About Living
Zoom
3
February
Northern Regional Finals
Presque Isle Public Library, Presque Isle
10
February
Southern Regional Finals
The Public Theater, Lewiston
18
February
Central Regional Theatre
Next Generation Theatre, Brewer
4
March
State Finals
Waterville Opera House, Waterville
27-29
April
National Finals
Washington D.C.
If you have additions to this page or questions about the Poetry Out Loud Program please contact Program Director, Khristina Kurasz via email at .vog.eniam@zsaruk.anitsirhk
If you want info about Maine Arts Commission's current accessibility policies, what we are doing to advance our digital accessibility or need assistance to access the website content, grant guidelines or application, please contact our ADA Accessibility Coordinator, Eli Cabañas by email at vog.eniam@sanabac.ile or at 207.215-5872.
It is the policy of the Maine Arts Commission not to discriminate on the basis of disability, and the Commission is dedicated to making our programs accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities and assist individuals with disabilities in connecting them with resources for access to the arts. All programs funded by the Maine Arts Commission must also be accessible.