February 16, 2025 – Winners of the Central Illinois Poetry Out Loud Contest have been announced and Eisenhower’s Jillian Garcia received third place.
Ashyla Richards of Springfield Southeast High School, earned her first place. Jada Jackson of Springfield Southeast High School received second. Richards and Jackson will advance to the Illinois State Contest on March 17th with special guest Angela Jackson, Illinois Poet Laureate. The Illinois State champion will advance to the national contest. Garcia will serve as an alternate.
More than 940 students and 23 teachers in 6 schools began the 2025 Poetry Out Loud season in central Illinois last fall.
Poetry Out Loud in Illinois is a collaborative project of the Illinois Arts Council and six arts agencies, each of which hosts a regional contest. The Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest is a national program that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through analysis, memorization, performance, and competition.
