BISMARCK, ND – North Dakota Council on the Arts announces the 2025 ND State Finals for Poetry Out Loud (POL). On Monday, March 3rd, 12 high school students from across the state will compete at the ND Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck to be the 2025 ND POL Champion. The event is FREE and OPEN to the public.

The competition, presented in partnership with The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, is part of a national program that encourages high school students to learn about poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. Watch a recording that summarizes the 2024 ND POL State Champion on YouTube to learn more.

The school of the North Dakota state champion will receive $500 for the purchase of poetry materials. The champion at the state level will receive $200 and advance to the 2025 Poetry Out Loud National Finals on May 5-7 in Washington, DC where they will have a chance to compete for the grand prize of $20,000.

Timeline as follows (approximate):

  • 9:30 a.m. – Competition begins
  • 1:00 p.m. – Final round
  • 1:30 p.m. – Special performance by hip hop artist Stuart James
  • 2:00 p.m. – Award ceremony
  • 2:30 p.m. – Reporters welcome to interview students