Georgia Student Heads to National Poetry Finals
Poetry Out Loud, arts education programs build Georgia’s future leaders
Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA), in partnership with the Alliance Theatre, has announced that Rory Berg, a senior from Roswell High School in Fulton County, is Georgia’s 2026 Poetry Out Loud State Champion. Berg will advance to the National Finals in Washington, D.C., on April 27.
Sophia Meszaros from Holy Innocents Episcopal School was runner-up and Caroline Champney from Chattahoochee High School very closely followed, tying for runner-up and technically placing in 3rd in the state final contest.
More than a competition, Poetry Out Loud is preparing Georgia’s young people for the future.
Why Poetry Out Loud matters
Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation program that helps students build self-confidence and public speaking skills, develop social and communication abilities, and foster a lifelong appreciation for literature.
A 2020 study found that program participants are 1.7 times more likely to pursue higher education and 1.5 times more likely to engage in community service.
These qualities are shaping adaptable, creative problem-solvers – the kind of workforce that fuels Georgia’s long-term economic success.
As a part of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, GCA invests in arts education because creativity and confidence benefit every industry, from healthcare to technology to manufacturing.
“Poetry Out Loud empowers students to explore their creativity and build skills that will benefit them in all areas of their life, from higher education to rewarding careers in any industry,” said Tina Lilly, Executive Director of Georgia Council for the Arts.
A special focus in 2026
In recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, this year’s Poetry Out Loud program highlights poems celebrating the rich tapestry of American history and culture.
Learn more about Georgia’s commemoration at georgia250.com.
From the classroom to the US Capitol
Georgia students continue to shine nationally, earning $55,000 in national prizes over the past decade, including a first-place win in 2017 and a second-place finish in 2024.
This year’s state champion receives $200 from the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional prizes for their school and the runner-up.
Host Poetry Out Loud in 2026-2027
Participation is completely free, and all types of high schools can take part.
Community organizations, including afterschool programs, libraries, and nonprofits, are eligible to host local competitions. To learn how to host a local competition for the 2026-2027 school year, contact GCA Grants and Arts Education Programs Manager Emily Yewell Volin at [email protected].
“We appreciate the Alliance Theatre’s excellent production of Poetry Out Loud in Georgia,” said Emily Yewell Volin, Grants and Arts Education Program Manager for Georgia Council for the Arts. “Their dedicated attention to each student and their supporters helps make it successful. Engaging with poetry does more than boost confidence and performance skills; it also influences connected systems throughout the body and mind and fosters community. While one competitor will move represent Georgia at the National Finals in Washington, D.C., everyone involved in this program will continue to learn and grow from this experience.”
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