Santa Barbara County opens registration for Poetry Out Loud

Registration is now open for Santa Barbara County high schools to participate in the 2026–27 Poetry Out Loud program. The competition, modeled after a spelling bee, requires students to memorize and recite poems from a selected anthology to build public speaking skills and literary appreciation.

Local winners, including the county champion and runners-up, will receive gift cards. The county champion will also receive formal recognition from the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors and advance to the State Finals in Sacramento. The California State champion earns a cash prize, school funding for literary materials, an all-expenses-paid trip to the National Finals in Washington, D.C., and the opportunity to compete for college scholarships.

The program is open to public, private, charter, and homeschool high school programs within the county. Schools must register by September 30, 2026. The Santa Barbara County Poetry Out Loud Competition is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18.