Poetry Out Loud
2024 New Mexico Poetry Out Loud State Finals
On Sunday, March 3, 2024, nine high school students from high schools across New Mexico participated in the Poetry Out Loud state finals at St. Francis Auditorium, inside the New Mexico Museum of Art, 107 W. Palace Ave, Santa Fe.
“This program, available to any high school in New Mexico, is an excellent example of how public funding for the arts provides access to arts and culture activities in communities both big and small everywhere in our great state.” Michelle Laflamme-Childs, Executive Director.
High school students representing their school at the Poetry Out Loud New Mexico Final:
Ariana Thiel-Hadjilambrinos
La Cueva High School, Albuquerque
Teacher/Coordinator – Rosemary Hood
Seth McLaughlin
Sue Cleveland High School, Rio Rancho
Teacher/Coordinator – Daniel Schneider
Nakia Thomas
Carlsbad High School, Carlsbad
Teacher/Coordinator – Erin Armendarez
Dante Salim
Volcano Vista High School, Albuquerque
Teacher/Coordinator – Desiree Montoya
Ulani Radtke
Arrowhead Park Early College High School, Las Cruces
Teacher/Coordinator – Kernie Zimmerman
Noor Kaur
Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School, Albuquerque
Teacher/Coordinator – Heather Blanchard
Jasper Goldberg
Public Academy for Performing Arts, Albuquerque
Teacher/Coordinator – Aimee Wray
Kaitlyn Lubega, 2024 New Mexico Poetry Out Loud Champion
The winner of the Poetry Out Loud New Mexico finals will receive $200, and the winner’s representing school or organization will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry materials. The first runner-up will receive $100, with $200 for their representing school or organization to purchase poetry materials.
The New Mexico champion will advance to the Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington, DC this May. All 55 state and jurisdictional champions will compete in the national semifinals from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, May 1, with the top nine students advancing to the finals 7-9:15 p.m. ET, Thursday, May 2. Both days are free and open to the public and will be available through a one-time-only webcast at arts.gov. In total, $50,000 in awards and school/organization stipends, including a $20,000 award for the Poetry Out Loud National Champion, will be presented at the National Finals. The Poetry Foundation provides and administers all aspects of the monetary prizes awarded and travel arrangements to the Poetry Out Loud National Finals.
See the event program Here
Poetry Out Loud Recitation Judges: Edward Pittman, Olivia Romo, Jasmine Cuffee, Don McIver
Prompter: Julie Book
A special performance was given by the students of EmiArteFlamenco Youth de Santa Fe directed by New Mexico’s own La Emi. Music provided by EmiArteflamenco Academy Guitarist, Gabriel Osuna and Singer, Meagan Chandler.
New Mexico Poet Laureate, Lauren Camp welcomed attendees and shared an inspirational poem.
Michelle Laflamme-Childs: Femcee
Jessica Helen Lopez: Student Coordinator
Kevin Lenkner: Program Coordinator
New Mexico Arts Staff | Volunteers
Michelle Laflamme-Childs, Meredith Doborski, Anna Blyth, Lilliana Miano-Phillips, Cynthia Gonzales, Maggie Hanley, Kevin Lenkner, Sue Sneeringer, Claude Smith, Olivia Amaya Ortiz, Katie Bruell
Interns: Christopher Branch, Elijah Castaneda
Volunteer: Kieran Lenkner
Event Audio
Santa Fe Audio Visual
Event Photography
Light Benders Visuals, Silver City
Poster Illustration
“Reconstructed Memories” by Yolanda Zhou, UWC-USA
2024 New Mexico Scholastic Art Awards Gold Key Winner
Photos by Light Benders Visuals
See the 2024 Photo Gallery Here
Poetry Ourselves New Mexico
Award Of Creative Excellence
Isabella Lobaina, Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School
Award Of Creative Merit
TaLinda Cearley, Carlsbad High School
Brisaeda Lopez, Carlsbad High School
Kaitlyn Robertson, Carlsbad High School
Poetry Ourselves New Mexico Judge
Alex Ziete
For more information contact New Mexico Arts Poetry Oourselves Coordinator, Kevin Lenkner at (505) 412-5791 or kevin.lenkner@dca.nm.gov