Meet the 2016 Poetry Out Loud Finalists

By Danielle Brown, Arts Education Special Projects Coordinator –

Traveling from across the state, 22 student finalists will come to Nashville on Saturday, March 19 to compete in the Poetry Out Loud state competition. Each student has prepared three poems that he or she will recite to a panel of esteemed judges and an audience of teachers, fellow students, families and friends. After the first round, 10 competitors will advance to the second round. Four finalists will be announced, but only one will go on as the Tennessee state champion to compete nationally in Washington D.C.

Meet the finalists:

Stephanie Bennett, Arlington High School, Arlington

Kesha Burton, Haywood High School, Brownsville

Alexia Buckner, Bolton High School, Arlington

Daysha Collins, University School, Johnson City

Marissa Corleone, St. George’s Independent School, Collierville

Sarahanne Ferell, Fairview High School, Fairview

Caroline Garber, Providence Academy, Johnson City

Jakob Gonzalez, Daniel McKee Alternative School, Murfreesboro

Brennan Humphrey, Hardin Valley Academy, Knoxville

Margie Hussey, Baylor School, Chattanooga

Sidney McCarty, Clarksville High School, Clarksville

Michelle Mellard, Brighton High School

Ansley Moore, Franklin Road Academy, Nashville

Marquavious Moore, Harding Academy of Memphis, Memphis

Olivia Odem, East Hamilton High School, Ooltewah

Bailee Ross, Briarcrest Christian High School, Eads

Reniece Scott, Fulton High School, Knoxville

Carly Selby, Cumberland County High School, Crossville

Abby Simpson, Saint Benedict, Auburndale

Phoenix Tarpy, McEwen High School, McEwen

Grace Whitten, Battle Ground Academy, Franklin

Drew Zimmerman, Heritage High School, Maryville

Read the student’s insightful and fun bios

This year’s competition will be at the Nashville Children’s Theatre starting at 10:00 a.m. We invite you to join us for this exciting celebration of poetry and recitation.