The road to a poetry recitation competition is more than memorizing verses—it’s a journey of self-expression, confidence, and connection to the power of words. As students bring poetry to life, they develop public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life. This experience leaves a lasting impact, shaping their voices long after the competition has ended.
Jash Rosal, a standout talent from Elk Grove High School (Elk Grove USD), claimed victory in the 2025 Sacramento County Poetry Out Loud recitation contest. The thrilling finals, hosted by the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) at its Conference Center in Mather, CA, showcased Rosal’s exceptional performance, earning him the top honor. Rosal will represent Sacramento County in the upcoming California Poetry Out Loud competition, slated for March 16–17 in Sacramento.
During the two-round competition, six talented participants captivated the audience with their unfeigned recitations of two carefully chosen poems, each performance showcasing their dedication and artistry. A panel of judges meticulously evaluated their delivery, interpreting both the depth of emotion and technical skill. The competition was fierce, with Ember Hall from Natomas Charter School (Natomas USD) securing the position of Sacramento County runner-up. As the evening concluded, emcee Xanthi Soriano, SCOE’s Executive Director of Communications, announced the winner and runner-up, celebrating their remarkable talent and commitment to the art of poetry recitation.
The Sacramento Educational Cable Consortium (SECC) partnered with SCOE to record the competition. The broadcast will air on March 1 and March 15 at 4 p.m. on Comcast Channel 15, AT&T U-Verse Channel 14, and Consolidated Communications Channel 21. It will also be available on the SECC website.
Poetry Out Loud Finalists
- Mark Burgess, John F. Kennedy High School (Sacramento City USD)
- Ember Hall, Natomas Charter School (Natomas USD)
- Samrita Naidu, Rio Americano High School (San Juan USD)
- Jash Rosal, Elk Grove High School (Elk Grove USD)
- Jefferson Stringfellow, Inderkum High School (Natomas USD)
- Raghad Tumeh, Grant Union High School (Twin Rivers USD)
About Poetry Out Loud
The Sacramento County Poetry Out Loud competition encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. The program provides students with the opportunity to perform poetry in English classes. Modeled after the National Spelling Bee structure, students start by competing in their local schools. The winners progress to regional and state competitions, with state winners competing at the national level. Poetry Out Loud was launched nationwide in 2006.
Sacramento County’s Poetry Out Loud program is supported by the Sacramento County Office of Education, California Poets in the Schools, and the Poetry Foundation. It is funded in part by the California Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.