Nevada City, CA – February 7, 2024: An inspiring evening of poetry and performance took center stage at the Eric Rood Center this week, as Nevada County’s most talented young reciters competed in the 2025 Poetry Out Loud County Championships. Nevada County Arts Council is thrilled to announce this year’s winners, celebrating their passion, creativity, and outstanding recitation skills.
And the champion is… Dino Parks of Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning (SAEL), who captivated the audience with his moving performances of Meanwhile by Richard Silken and Cadillac Moon by Kevin Young. First and second runners-up, also from SAEL, were Joselyn Zarate for Poem Toward People by Ariel Yelen and Superstition by Ashley August, along with Amara Berry for Found on the Pond Deck by Petra Kuppers and Burning the Old Year by Naomi Shihab Nye.
The evening was filled with poetry, celebration, and recognition. Nevada County’s Poet Laureate Emerita, Molly Fisk, treated attendees to a recitation of A Part of Eve’s Discussion by Marie Howe, while Joey Henry, Nevada County’s inaugural Youth Poet Laureate and a former Poetry Out Loud participant, shared special acknowledgements.
Reflecting on his experience, County Champion Dino Parks shared: “Art and poetry give me a fun and creative outlet for all feelings, thoughts, and ideas that I might not otherwise share outwardly. Participating in Poetry Out Loud has even strengthened friendships as we bond over our love for poetry and performance. I’m incredibly grateful to attend a school where the arts—and programs like Poetry Out Loud—are valued and supported. They’ve helped me grow and given me fantastic opportunities like this!”
Honoring Excellence in Poetry
In addition to the top winners, two outstanding students received Judge’s Honorable Mentions for their performances as the sole representatives from their schools:
Myla Nickel (Forest Charter School) – Sonnet 145: Those lips that Love’s own hand would make by William Shakespeare and Caged Bird by Maya Angelou.
Rein Chaney (Nevada Union High School) – Clear Night by Charles Wright and Breaking [News] by Noor Hindi.
A distinguished panel of six judges from Nevada County’s literary community had the challenging task of selecting the winners. Judges included Nevada County Poet Laureate Kirsten Casey, poet and Sierra Poetry Festival committee member Clay Stockton, author and coach Catharine Bramkamp, librarian Julie Valin, and Nevada County Librarian Nick Wilczek. Evaluating performances on criteria such as physical presence, voice and articulation, dramatic appropriateness, evidence of understanding, and overall performance, the judges were blown away by the poise and passion of the students.
Poet Laureate Kirsten Casey summed up the evening: “The annual Poetry Out Loud competition is more than a celebration of poetry—it’s a testament to the dedication and bravery of our local students and their teachers. Year after year, they take the stage with confidence, reminding us of the timeless beauty of language and the brilliance of the next generation.”
Next Stop: Sacramento!
What’s next for our Poetry Out Loud Champion? Dino Parks will represent Nevada County at the 2025 California Poetry Out Loud State Finals on March 16-17 in Sacramento, where he’ll take the stage with a third memorized poem. He’ll be joined by his teacher and family, competing for a chance to advance to the National Finals in Washington, D.C., where scholarship funds and national recognition await.
Nevada County Arts Council’s Executive Director, Eliza Tudor, expressed excitement about the upcoming competition:
“We’re thrilled to return to the Capitol, where finalists from across the state perform in the Senate Chambers before legislators, California Arts Council members, and arts leaders. The California State winner receives a cash prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete at the National Finals—a life-changing experience for any young poet.”
Keeping Poetry Alive in Nevada County
Like many arts programs, Poetry Out Loud saw a decline in participation following the pandemic, but Nevada County Arts Council has been determined to keep the spirit of poetry alive. This year, the Council offered a variety of coaching options tailored to the needs of students and schools, ensuring accessibility and engagement.
One school that truly stood out was Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning, whose students dominated the top awards. English teachers Marika Beck and Richard Young played a crucial role in guiding their students through the program. Beck shared: “Our students are so fortunate to have participated in this outstanding program, and SAEL is honored to have students selected for the top three winning recitations in the county.”
A Future Full of Poetry
Poetry Out Loud doesn’t end here! Finalists will have the opportunity to perform at the 9th Annual Sierra Poetry Festival on April 12th at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley, sharing their talent with an even larger audience.
For schools interested in participating in Poetry Out Loud 2026, Nevada County Arts Council encourages early sign-ups. Eliza Tudor adds: “Poetry Out Loud is a transformative experience for students, building confidence, creativity, and a deep appreciation for language. We want as many students as possible to be part of this incredible journey!”
Want to learn more? Visit Poetry Out Loud California and Nevada County Arts Council’s Poetry Out Loud page.
Get tickets for the Sierra Poetry Festival at sierrapoetryfestival.org.
Congratulations to all our talented students—we can’t wait to see what’s next for you!