SACRAMENTO – CORE Butte Charter School student Lily Krueger, the winner of the Butte County Poetry Out Loud competition, represented the county at the California Poetry Out Loud State Finals in Sacramento that took place from March 16-17.
Krueger demonstrated her passion for poetry and impressive recitation skills during the two-day event, which gathered the state’s best young poets from across California. The competition, which showcased high school students’ abilities to memorize and recite classic and contemporary poetry, is a celebration of the art of spoken word and literary interpretation.
Krueger advanced to the state competition after winning the Butte County Office of Education’s Poetry Out Loud Championship, where she competed against other talented students in the region. Throughout the state competition, Lily captivated audiences with her expressive interpretations of the poems she selected, earning the admiration of judges and peers alike. Lily’s poem selections included “Of Molluscs” by May Sarton, “No Coward Soul Is Mine” by Emily Brontë, and “Battle-Hymn of the Republic” by Julia Ward Howe.
“Lily was able to demonstrate her public speaking strengths and confidence through her emotional connection to the works that she chose,” said her teacher, Christine Henderson. “We are so proud of the works she selected to share. These poems hold important messages students need to hear in this generation.”
About Poetry Out Loud
Poetry Out Loud is a national competition sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Poetry Foundation, with local and state competitions leading up to the national finals in Washington, D.C. This program encourages students to engage with poetry in a creative and meaningful way while helping to develop public speaking and performance skills.
The state competition took place at the Jean Runyon Little Theatre in downtown Sacramento and featured finalists from almost every county in California. Krueger’s performance was a testament to her hard work and artistic expression, making Butte County proud at the state level.
“Lily’s participation in the California Poetry Out Loud competition highlights her hard work, dedication, and the strength of our students in Butte County,” said Mary Ellen Garrahy, BCOE’s Poetry Out Loud coordinator. “We are incredibly proud of Lily and the impact she’s made through her love of poetry and performance. She has represented Butte County well.”
About Butte County Office of Education
BCOE is a public educational agency that serves as the administrative body overseeing educational services for school districts within Butte County. The office provides a variety of resources, programs, and services to support local schools, educators, and students, working to ensure that all students in the county have access to high-quality education.
For more information about Poetry Out Loud or student events, contact Mary Ellen Garrahy at 530-370-3573 or at mgarrahy@bcoe.org.