(RED BANK | 2/12/2026): Following New Jersey’s 2025-26 regional Poetry Out Loud competitions, twelve State Finalists have been named who will vie for this year’s title of New Jersey State Champion at Red Bank’s Count Basie Center for the Arts. Regional competitions took place in early February at the Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College, Mayo Performing Arts Center, Passaic County Community College, Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts, Stockton University Performing Arts Center, and South Orange Performing Arts Center.

Poetry Out Loud is a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and participating state and jurisdictional arts agencies. Poetry Out Loud provides free lesson plans and other educational materials to teachers and organizers, including an online poem anthology. In recognition of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, the 2025-2026 Poetry Out Loud program will focus on poems that celebrate the rich tapestry of American history and culture.

Congratulations to all the finalists moving on to State Finals:

• Myles Cherette from Franklin High School
• Shorook Esmaeel from Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School
• Gabrielle Ford from Livingston Public Schools
• Abigail Grugan from Cinnaminson High School
• Evelynn Knox from Henry Hudson Regional School
• Journe Lucas from Hammonton High School
• Christina Massey from Atlantic City High School
• Sirra Mbye from North Start Academy – Washington Park
• Afra Miao from The Lawrenceville School
• Ella Moise from Ramsey High School
• Joy Ogunsakin from Trinity Hall
• Noelle Sapp from Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School

These finalists will represent their region and compete for the title of State Champion at the New Jersey Poetry Out Loud State Finals at 10 AM on March 3, 2026 at Count Basie Center for the Arts. The State Champion will move on to the Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington D.C. to compete against students from across the country.

“NJPOL is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and over the years it has become one of my favorite State Arts Council programs,” said Kevin O’Brien, Chair of the Arts Education Committee of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. “I am extremely proud of the students this year, as well as the commitment of the educators and caregivers who have supported them. New Jersey always shows up strong. So while I’m not surprised by the caliber of these regional champions, I am, as always in awe and inspired by them all.” 

For more information about New Jersey Poetry Out Loud and the State Finals, visit www.njpol.org. To watch a video recap of the State Finals competition and to see past competitions, subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

ABOUT THE COUNT BASIE CENTER FOR THE ARTS

The Count Basie Center for the Arts creates shared educational, artistic, and community experiences that ignite curiosity, understanding, and joy. As a nonprofit organization, the Basie Center is committed to its responsive and inclusive programming, which reflects the diverse spirit and aspirations of its patrons, students, artists, and staff. The Basie Center has hosted an array of world-class artists, including Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band, Bon Jovi, Ariana Grande, John Legend, Brandi Carlile, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross and Ringo Starr. The Basie Center’s Turner Academy of the Arts reaches thousands of students yearly, offering a robust slate of performing arts and music classes and experiences.

ABOUT THE NEW JERSEY STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS

The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, created in 1966, is a division of the NJ Department of State and a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Council was established to encourage and foster public interest in the arts; enlarge public and private resources devoted to the arts; promote freedom of expression in the arts; and facilitate the inclusion of art in every public building in New Jersey. The Council believes the arts are central to every element we value most in a modern society including: human understanding; cultural and civic pride; strong communities; excellent schools; lifelong learning; creative expression; and economic opportunity. To learn more about the Council, please visit www.artscouncil.nj.gov. 

ABOUT NEW JERSEY POETRY OUT LOUD

New Jersey Poetry Out Loud is a project of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Count Basie Center for the Arts. Poetry Out Loud – a national arts education program – is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with participating state and jurisdictional arts agencies and managed by Mid Atlantic Arts. In New Jersey, the State Arts Council and the Basie work with a growing network of regional partners to implement the program statewide.