Lakeridge Students Compete in Oregon Poetry Out Loud Finals

Two Lakeridge High School seniors recite poems at statewide competition.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 7:52pm

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Lakeridge High School seniors Drishti Singh and Rain Obiesie competed in the 2026 Poetry Out Loud finals on March 7 at the Historic Grand Theatre in Salem, Oregon. Singh and Obiesie each recited three poems, but Oregon School for the Deaf junior Emma Keen was ultimately chosen as the winner.

Why it matters

Poetry Out Loud is a national recitation competition that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance. The competition helps students build public speaking skills, self-confidence, and a deeper appreciation for poetry.

The details

Singh recited 'To a Young Dancing Girl' by Elsa Gidlow, 'Why We Oppose Pockets for Women' by Alice Duer Miller, and 'My Papa's Waltz' by Theodore Roethke. Obiesie recited 'The Contrast' by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, 'Militants to Certain Other Women' by Katharine Rolston Fisher, and 'Cross' by Langston Hughes. Keen, the winner, recited 'Low-Tide' by Edna St. Vincent Millay, 'From One Who Stays' by Amy Lowell, and 'I am Like a Leaf' by Yone Noguchi.

  • The 2026 Poetry Out Loud finals took place on Saturday, March 7.
  • Lakeridge High School seniors Drishti Singh and Rain Obiesie competed in the finals.

The players

Drishti Singh

A senior at Lakeridge High School who competed in the 2026 Poetry Out Loud finals.

Rain Obiesie

A senior at Lakeridge High School who competed in the 2026 Poetry Out Loud finals.

Emma Keen

A junior at Oregon School for the Deaf who won the 2026 Poetry Out Loud finals.

Carli Jones

A judge at the 2026 Poetry Out Loud finals.

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What they’re saying

“Poetry Out Loud provides an incredible opportunity for students to practice resilience through art.”

— Carli Jones, Judge

The takeaway

The Poetry Out Loud competition encourages high school students to engage with and perform classic poetry, helping them develop important public speaking and interpretive skills. Despite not winning, the Lakeridge High School students demonstrated their passion for poetry and commitment to the art form.