2025 Poetry Out Loud Finals

State Finals

The Delaware Division of the Arts proudly announces Olivia Stevens, a student from Mount Sophia Academy, as the 2025 Delaware State Finalist for the 20th Annual Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest. Olivia captivated audiences and judges alike with her powerful recitations of “Sanctuary” by Jean Valentine, “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and “Architect’s Watercolor” by Arthur Sze.

The State Finals, held at the Smyrna Opera House on February 20, 2025, featured an esteemed audience, including Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay, Secretary of State Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez, elected state senators and representatives, and members of the Delaware State Arts Council. Eleven student finalists from across Delaware competed in two rounds of recitation, with five semifinalists advancing to a thrilling third round. The eleven students were: Cale Cooper (Delaware Valley Classical School), Trinity Gbolo (MOT Charter High School), Becca Hurwitz (Concord High School), Brooke Kennedy (Saint Mark’s High School), Abby Krape (Sanford School), Carmen Mestre-Tlacuatl (Delcastle Technical High School), Cathy Mosely (Hosgson Vo-Tech High School), Elias Olvera (Cape Henlopen High School), Kalor Pewee (First State Military Academy), Chase Reynolds (Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences), and Olivia Stevens (Mount Sophia Academy).

Attendees were also treated to a special series of video addresses and reflections celebrating the impact of the program. Governor Matt Meyer and Secretary of Education Cynthia “Cindy” Marten shared messages of congratulations and encouragement, welcoming students and highlighting the significance of poetry in education and self-expression. Additionally, four previous Delaware State Finalists—Maiss Hussein (2023 and 2024), Natalie Kim Ramos (2022), Chelsea Anoyke-Agyei (2019), and Sam McGarvey (2018)—provided reflection videos, sharing how Poetry Out Loud has shaped their lives, strengthened their confidence, and opened doors to new opportunities in the arts and beyond. Their stories underscored the lasting impact of the program in fostering creativity, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the spoken word.

This marks Olivia’s second time competing in Poetry Out Loud and her first time securing the state championship title. As Delaware’s Poetry Out Loud State Champion, Olivia will receive a $200 award and will advance to the National Finals in Washington, D.C., on May 6-7, 2025, where she will compete against finalists from across the country for $50,000 in scholarships. Additionally, Mount Sophia Academy will receive a $500 stipend to support poetry materials for its students.

First Runner-Up Abby Krape of Sanford School and Second Runner-Up Brooke Kennedy of St. Mark’s High School also delivered outstanding performances. Abby will receive a $100 award, and Sanford School will receive a $200 stipend to further enrich its poetry curriculum.

“The Poetry Out Loud competition is a true testament to the power of language and performance, and we are thrilled to celebrate Olivia Stevens as this year’s state champion,” said Jessica Ball, Director of the Delaware Division of the Arts. “Her dedication to poetry and storytelling shines through in her recitations, and we look forward to seeing her represent Delaware at the National Finals. We also applaud all the students who participated this year and encourage them to continue sharing their voices and honing their craft.”