PORTLAND – Local students are vying for the honor of representing their school at the state final of the Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest. Students selected by their school can win monetary prizes for themselves and their school, and the winner of the state final will take an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., to represent the state at the National Finals in April.

Now in its third year and with five times as many schools taking part, the Maine Arts Commission has announced a change to this year’s competition. School finalist will now go to either a northern or southern semi-final round where five finalists from each will be selected to compete at the state final.

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 great poetry through memorization, performance and competition.

Both state semi-finals will be held between 2 and 6 p.m. The southern semi-final will take place Monday, Feb. 25, at Portland Stage Co., Forest Avenue, Portland, and the northern semi-final on Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Penobscot Theatre, 131 Main St., Bangor. Ten finalists will then convene at Schaeffer Theatre, Bates College, Lewiston, on Saturday, March 8, to determine who will represent Maine at the finals.

The state winner will receive $200, and the winner’s school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. The second place finalist will receive $100, with $200 for the school library.

Local high schools competing will include Fryeburg Academy; Gould Academy, Bethel; Leavitt Area High School, Turner; Maranacook Community School, Readfield; Merriconeag Waldorf High School, New Gloucester; Mt. Abram High School, Salem; Poland Regional High School; and Rangeley Lakes Regional School.

For more information on the state finals, contact Tina P Mann at 287-6571 or [email protected].