9th Graders Shine in Poetry Out Loud Competition

Every 9th-grade student at Pacific Ridge School recently took part in the Poetry Out Loud competition, an inspiring annual event that celebrates the art of performance and the power of language. As part of their English curriculum, each student selected, memorized, and performed a poem for their classmates—an exercise that encouraged close reading, interpretation, and confidence in public speaking.

Following the classroom rounds, one representative from each section was selected to advance to the schoolwide Poetry Out Loud competition. Performing on stage before their peers and teachers, finalists demonstrated remarkable poise, expression, and connection to their chosen works.

A special round of applause goes to runner-up Skylar H. ’29, who delivered a moving recitation of “Becoming a Redwood” by Dana Gioia, and to PRS Poetry Out Loud winner Sylas G. ’29, whose performance of “Israfel” by Edgar Allan Poe captivated the audience and judges alike. Both students impressed with their command of language and stage presence.

Sylas and Skylar will go on to represent Pacific Ridge School at the Poetry Out Loud San Diego Regional Competition in February 2026 at the San Diego Public Library.

The Poetry Out Loud program, a national initiative sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, invites students to explore the rhythm, emotion, and meaning behind poetry. At Pacific Ridge, it has become a cherished 9th-grade tradition—one that challenges students to engage deeply with words and find their own expressive voices.