Poetry Out Loud
2025 Poetry Out Loud State Finals
The New Mexico Poetry Out Loud champion, Kaitlyn Lubega, a 12th grader attending United World College (UWC-USA) in Montezuma, NM, is headed to the National Finals in Washington, DC, May 5 – 7, 2025.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, this poetry recitation competition for high school students is a partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, Poetry Foundation, and New Mexico Arts, designed to improve public speaking skills, build confidence, and teach about literary history and contemporary life. Nine high school students from schools throughout New Mexico participated in the Poetry Out Loud state finals, which took place at the Lensic Performing Arts Center on Sunday, March 16.
State and National Prizes
At the state level, the first-place winner will receive $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete for the national championship. The state champion’s school library will receive a $500 stipend toward the purchase of poetry books. The runner-up will receive $100, and $200 for their school library. The national competition awards a total of $50,000 in prizes and school stipends at the national finals. The national champion will receive a $20,000 prize.
Poetry Out Loud 2025
We are pleased to present this year’s nine state finalists from the 2025 New Mexico Poetry Out Loud Recitation Contest.
New Mexico Poetry Out Loud is made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation. It is produced and directed in New Mexico by the state arts agency New Mexico Arts, in accordance with our agreement with the Endowment.
Participants
Kaitlyn Lubega: 2025 New Mexico Poetry Out Loud Champion
Jessica Helen Lopez: Event Coordinator
Michelle Laflamme-Childs: Femcee
Kevin Lenkner: Program Coordinator
Cousineau Studios: Photos
Poetry Out Loud 2024
The nine state finalists from the 2024 New Mexico Poetry Out Loud Recitation Contest.
New Mexico Poetry Out Loud is made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation. It is produced and directed in New Mexico by the state arts agency New Mexico Arts, in accordance with our agreement with the Endowment.
Participants
Kaitlyn Lubega (STATE CHAMPION): UWC-USA, Montezuma
Teacher - Kate Riberio
Nakia Thomas (RUNNER UP): Carlsbad High School, Carlsbad
Teacher - Erin Armendarez
Ariana Thiel-Hadjilambrinos: La Cueva High School, Albuquerque
Teacher - Rosemary Hood
Seth McLaughlin: V. Sue Cleveland High School, Rio Rancho
Teacher - Daniel Schneider
Dante Salim: Volcano Vista High School, Albuquerque
Teacher - Desiree Montoya
Ulani Radtke: Arrowhead Park Early College High School, Las Cruces
Teacher - Kernie Zimmerman
Noor Kaur: Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School, Albuquerque
Teacher - Heather Blanchard
Jasper Goldberg: Public Academy for Performing Arts, Albuquerque
Teacher - Aimee Wray
Sama Lilo: Albuquerque School of Excellence, Albuquerque
Teacher - Ma. Gloria M. King
Kaitlyn Lubega: 2024 New Mexico Poetry Out Loud Champion
Jessica Helen Lopez: Event Coordinator
Michelle Laflamme-Childs: Femcee
Kevin Lenkner: Program Coordinator
EmiArteFlamenco Youth de Santa: Dance
Light Benders Visuals: Photos
Poetry Out Loud 2023
The ten state finalists from the 2023 New Mexico Poetry Out Loud Recitation Contest.
New Mexico Poetry Out Loud is made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation. It is produced and directed in New Mexico by the state arts agency New Mexico Arts, in accordance with our agreement with the Endowment.
Participants
Rutendo Musharu: UWC-USA, Montezuma (STATE CHAMPION)
Teacher - Kate Riberio
Robin Blakeman: Public Academy for Performing Arts, Albuquerque (SECOND PLACE)
Teacher - Aimee Wray
Esther Heerema: Arrowhead Park Early College High School, Las Cruces
Teacher - Kernie Zimmerman
Livi Lent-Koop: V. Sue Cleveland High School, Rio Rancho
Teacher - Daniel Schneider
Michael Arrellin: Wagon Mound High School, Wagon Mound
Teacher - Julie Book
Rawan Lilo: Albuquerque School of Excellence, Albuquerque
Teacher - Ma. Gloria M. King
Finley Altman: La Cueva High School, Albuquerque
Teacher - Rosemary Hood
Rutendo Musharu: 2023 New Mexico Poetry Out Loud Champion
Jessica Helen Lopez: Event Coordinator
Michelle Laflamme-Childs: Femcee
Kevin Lenkner: Program Coordinator
Zaphica Jazz Band: Music
Pueblo Pojoaque Youth Hoop Dancers: Dance
Light Benders Visuals: Photos
