Poetry Out Loud
a California Arts Council Initiative
“The Gems Sparkled as Diamond and Jewel Advance to State Competition”
The Poetry Out Loud Program “Made me better at analyzing poems. Poetry is more than an art form, it is storytelling. I have been inspired to start writing my own poems” said Diamond Vang, Trinity County’s Champion for Poetry Out Loud, 2026. Runner up is Jewel Young who will take the stage in Sacramento if Diamond can not attend.
Diamond was among six students competing for the honor to represent Trinity County at the state championship in Sacramento, March 8, 2026, with a very good chance to go to Washington D.C. and compete in the National Competition in April.
Hayfork and Trinity High Schools advanced a total of seven students to the County Competition at the Performing Arts Center, Sunday, Jan. 25th.
Each student memorized 2 poems from an anthology of over 1000 poems spanning many centuries. Coaches Chriss Williams, Joe Hall, and Laila Cassis spent many hours with students helping them understand the nuanced meaning of their poems. They worked to gain understanding of what the poet was trying to impart and how best to convey the poem to an audience so that they, too, would gain understanding. The joyful jibes and banter echoed through the wings as students supported each other with no sense of cut-throat competition. Emcee, Joanne Tucker, set the tone with humor and kindness.
“I enjoy being able to share the Poetry Out Loud experience with other people. I have solo stage fright and get choked up when alone on stage. Poetry Out Loud has helped me in my acting” said Jewel Young. Most students found that the program helped them with public speaking. They learned to “analyze the hidden meaning” by understanding the language of the times and “reading between the lines.”
While only two students received cash awards for first and second place, it was clear to all that there were NO losers.
Each student reached their goal of memorizing 2 complex poems, understanding them and reciting them with clarity, poise, and confidence. I heard many complements as I left the theater; most notably a great sense of pride in these six students. Trinity County is producing young vibrant thoughtful leaders.
The Trinity County Arts Council is grateful to our community for supporting Poetry Out Loud.
See you next year !
The Poetry Out Loud Program “Made me better at analyzing poems. Poetry is more than an art form, it is storytelling. I have been inspired to start writing my own poems” said Diamond Vang, Trinity County’s Champion for Poetry Out Loud, 2026. Runner up is Jewel Young who will take the stage in Sacramento if Diamond can not attend.
Diamond was among six students competing for the honor to represent Trinity County at the state championship in Sacramento, March 8, 2026, with a very good chance to go to Washington D.C. and compete in the National Competition in April.
Hayfork and Trinity High Schools advanced a total of seven students to the County Competition at the Performing Arts Center, Sunday, Jan. 25th.
Each student memorized 2 poems from an anthology of over 1000 poems spanning many centuries. Coaches Chriss Williams, Joe Hall, and Laila Cassis spent many hours with students helping them understand the nuanced meaning of their poems. They worked to gain understanding of what the poet was trying to impart and how best to convey the poem to an audience so that they, too, would gain understanding. The joyful jibes and banter echoed through the wings as students supported each other with no sense of cut-throat competition. Emcee, Joanne Tucker, set the tone with humor and kindness.
“I enjoy being able to share the Poetry Out Loud experience with other people. I have solo stage fright and get choked up when alone on stage. Poetry Out Loud has helped me in my acting” said Jewel Young. Most students found that the program helped them with public speaking. They learned to “analyze the hidden meaning” by understanding the language of the times and “reading between the lines.”
While only two students received cash awards for first and second place, it was clear to all that there were NO losers.
Each student reached their goal of memorizing 2 complex poems, understanding them and reciting them with clarity, poise, and confidence. I heard many complements as I left the theater; most notably a great sense of pride in these six students. Trinity County is producing young vibrant thoughtful leaders.
The Trinity County Arts Council is grateful to our community for supporting Poetry Out Loud.
See you next year !
Diamond Vang reciting poem
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Diamond Vang, 1st Place and Jewel Young, 2nd Place, with Trinity County Arts Council President, Susan Weber.
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POL Team 2026- emcee Joanne Tucker, HHS coach Joe Hall, THS coach Chriss Williams, THS Maggie Dobbs, HHS Sebastian Thao, THS Braden Greenley, THS Diamond Vang, HHS Aireth Rios, THS Jewel Young
Poetry Out Loud—presented in partnership with the California Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, and Poetry Foundation—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. Since the program began in 2005, more than four million students across the country have participated in Poetry Out Loud.