THE HUNTINGTON ANNOUNCES 12 STUDENT FINALISTS OF POETRY OUT LOUD MASSACHUSETTS CONTEST
The Huntington Education Department brings poetry and theatre – and the skills and inspiration those foster – into young lives once again this spring through Poetry Out Loud Massachusetts,
run in partnership with the Mass Cultural Council.
(BOSTON) – The Huntington Education Department announces twelve student finalists in the Massachusetts chapter of Poetry Out Loud, the national recitation contest run locally by The Huntington with the Mass Cultural Council and nationwide by the National Endowment for the Arts. The state finals will take place at the Old South Meeting House (310 Washington St, Boston, MA 02108) on Sunday, March 8 at 10am. The state champion will advance to Nationals in Washington, DC April 27 – 29, 2026.
Powered by The Huntington on both the community and state level, with state-wide efforts supported by the Mass Cultural Council, Massachusetts continues to shine in its commitment to beautiful language and powerful art. This commitment is further bolstered by Governor Maura Healey’s executive order last year, creating a poet laureate position in Massachusetts for the first time in the state’s history.
With over 15,000 students participating in Poetry Out Loud MA this year, The Huntington Education Department continues to bring theatre and poetry – and the skills and inspiration those arts foster – into young people’s lives. Theatre education and performance opportunities can build prosocial behavior in students, encourage empathy, improve public speaking skills, and develop both creative and critical thinking. By championing theatre and poetry education, The Huntington team is proud to ensure that the next generation not only amplifies its voice but also shapes the cultural and artistic legacy of our time.
“The power and popularity of Poetry Out Loud in our schools speaks for itself,” says Huntington Director of Education Meg O’Brien. “Over the last 21 years, more than 332,000 students have participated in Poetry Out Loud Massachusetts. Now more than ever we are honored to work alongside the Mass Cultural Council as we support our schools, teachers, and students as they explore the power of poetry and performance. We have an incredible group of 12 finalists preparing for State Finals, we cannot wait to see them recite in such an historic venue.”
One of the most extensive and admired programs in the country, The Huntington Education Department serves more than 30,000 students, teachers, and community organizations each year with student matinees, Huntington Academy, Poetry Out Loud Massachusetts, in-school residency programs, True Colors’ Next Narrative Monologue Competition, and more. Collaborators in this work include Boston Public Schools, Codman Academy Charter Public School, the National Endowment for the Arts, Mass Cultural Council, and many community organizations.
“Poetry Out Loud continues to be a powerful and enduring tradition in Massachusetts, giving young people the opportunity to engage deeply with language, build confidence, and find their own voice through poetry," said Mass Cultural Council Acting Executive Director David T. Slatery. "Mass Cultural Council is grateful for the longstanding leadership and dedication of our partners at The Huntington's Education Department in bringing this program to life year after year. This annual event represents the culmination of months of preparation and commitment from students, educators, families, and mentors across the Commonwealth. It's an honor to celebrate these remarkable students as they prepare to represent Massachusetts on the national stage.”
Poetry Out Loud Massachusetts has been ranked in the top 5 states for participation statistics nationally for 15 of the 20 years POL has existed and is the largest program in New England. For last year’s 20th anniversary season, POL Massachusetts was top in the nation for both student and teacher participation.
ABOUT POETRY OUT LOUD
Poetry Out Loud is a national recitation contest that celebrates the power of the spoken word and a mastery of public speaking skills while cultivating self-confidence and an appreciation of students’ literary heritage as they take poetry from the page to the stage. Poetry Out Loud has inspired hundreds of thousands of high school students to discover and appreciate both classic and contemporary poetry. Several students who have come up through The Huntington’s education program have gone on to rank in the top nine students in the national competition. Poetry Out Loud is in all 50 states as well as America Samoa, Guam, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Poetry Out Loud helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage,” says the National Endowment for the Arts. “By encouraging students to study, memorize, and perform some of the most influential and timeless poems of the English language, you immerse them in powerful expression and provocative ideas.”
Regional semi-finals were held on February 7 – 14 in Boston, Cape Cod, Hopkinton, Newburyport, and Springfield. The state finals will determine who will go on to compete at the national level. Massachusetts State Champions have been top-9 National Finalists in 2008 2011, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
ABOUT THE POL MASSACHUSETTS FINALISTS (in alphabetical order by school)
Finalist: Ashwika Dandu Algonquin Regional High School
Finalist: Clara Nunes Barnstable High School
Finalist: Soleil Desai Boston Latin School
Finalist: Nia Cao Dana Hall School
Finalist: Marina Zaki Franklin High School
Finalist: Jason Yang Lexington High School
Finalist: Adeline Berke Longmeadow High School
Finalist: Iris Zhao Mystic Valley Regional Charter School
Finalist: Danielle Lewis Nantucket High School
Finalist: Maria Freuh Newburyport High School
Finalist: Mia Brillantes The Newman School
Finalist: Stella Gizzi Plymouth South High School
52 Schools and Organizations participated in Poetry Out Loud Massachusetts 2026, including:
- Agawam High School
- Algonquin Regional High School
- Avon Middle High School
- Barnstable High School
- Boston Latin School
- Bourne High School
- Burlington High School
- Codman Academy Charter Public School
- Concord Carlisle Regional High School
- Dana Hall School
- Dartmouth High School
- Dennis Yarmouth Regional High School
- Dexter Southfield
- Dracut High School
- Falmouth High School
- Foxborough Regional Charter School
- Framingham High School
- Franklin High School
- Hampden Charter School of Science
- Hanover High School
- Haverhill High School
- Hull High School
- International School of Boston
- John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science
- Lexington High School
- Longmeadow High School
- Malden High School
- Martha's Vineyard Regional High School
- Masconomet Regional High School
- Melrose High School
- Meridian Academy
- Methuen High School
- Minnechaug Regional High School
- Mystic Valley Regional Charter School
- Nantucket High School
- New Heights Charter School of Brockton
- Newburyport High School
- Norwell High School
- Plymouth North High School
- Plymouth South High School
- Rockland High School
- Roxbury Prep High School
- Sandwich Middle High School
- South Hadley High School
- South Shore Charter Public School
- Springfield Central High School
- St. Sebastian's School
- Stoneham High School
- The Newman School
- Watertown High School
- Whitman Hanson Regional High School
- Wilbraham & Monson Academy
