New Mexico Arts announces the state finals for the 20th anniversary of Poetry Out Loud®. On Sunday, March 16, 1:00 p.m., nine high school students from across New Mexico will participate in the Poetry Out Loud state finals. Held for the first time ever at the Lensic Performing Arts Center, 211 W. San Francisco St., Santa Fe, NM, the event is free and open to all ages to watch the performances.

The 20th Anniversary celebration will include 2024 Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellow, Hermelinda Hernandez Monjaras from Fresno, CA, a recognition ceremony of the previous 20 New Mexico State Champions, New Mexico Poetry Ourselves award winners, and the debut of the Phyllis Kennedy Teacher’s Award. Capitol High School’s Guitar Ensemble will also perform at the State Finals event.

Presented in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, Poetry Out Loud® is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country.