Shore Student Wins New Jersey Poetry Out Loud Competition

Joy Ogunsakin of Trinity Hall in Tinton Falls will represent the state at the national finals.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Joy Ogunsakin, a senior at Trinity Hall in Tinton Falls, has been named the 2026 New Jersey Poetry Out Loud state champion. Ogunsakin will now compete for the national title at the Poetry Out Loud finals in Washington, D.C. in April. The New Jersey runner-up is Evelynn Knox, a sophomore from Henry Hudson Regional School in Highlands.

Why it matters

Poetry Out Loud is a prestigious national arts education program that encourages high school students to study and recite classic and contemporary poetry. The competition provides students with a platform to express themselves through the art of recitation, and the winners receive college scholarships.

The details

The New Jersey Poetry Out Loud competition began in fall 2025 and included nearly 11,000 students from 68 different high schools and organizations across the state. The state finals were held on March 3 at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank. Ogunsakin's win marks the second time in the past three years that a student from the Shore region has won the state title.

  • The New Jersey competition began in fall 2025.
  • The state finals were held on March 3, 2026.
  • The national Poetry Out Loud finals will take place from April 27-29, 2026 in Washington, D.C.

The players

Joy Ogunsakin

A senior at Trinity Hall in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, and the 2026 New Jersey Poetry Out Loud state champion.

Evelynn Knox

A sophomore at Henry Hudson Regional School in Highlands, New Jersey, and the 2026 New Jersey Poetry Out Loud state runner-up.

Adam Philipson

The President and CEO of the Count Basie Center for the Arts, which hosted the 2026 New Jersey Poetry Out Loud state finals.

Allison Tratner

The executive director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, which organizes the state's participation in the Poetry Out Loud program.

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What they’re saying

“The talent and dedication of the participating students is truly inspiring. And we are grateful to the educators, administrators, family members, and friends who supported the students and this program from the beginning. New Jersey has historically been one of the most engaged states in this national program, and that is due to the collective belief in the power of arts education and the priority placed on providing avenues for young people to express themselves. We look forward to cheering on Joy as they represent New Jersey in Washington DC!”

— Allison Tratner, Executive Director, New Jersey State Council on the Arts (app.com)

“The Count Basie Center for the Arts is once again proud to partner with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and serve as the state's home for Poetry Out Loud. Each year, this program gives students a powerful platform to express themselves by sharing the poetry that reflects their own voices. We congratulate all of this year's participants and look forward to supporting Joy at the national competition in April.”

— Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts (app.com)

What’s next

Joy Ogunsakin will compete for the national Poetry Out Loud title during the finals in Washington, D.C. from April 27-29, 2026.

The takeaway

The New Jersey Poetry Out Loud competition showcases the impressive talent and dedication of high school students across the state, providing them with a valuable platform to express themselves through the art of poetry recitation. Joy Ogunsakin's win highlights the strength of the Shore region's arts education programs and the state's continued commitment to nurturing the next generation of literary artists.