Delaware’s Poetry Out Loud state finals will be held at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Smyrna Opera House. 

From a field of 11 finalists, downstate students competing will be Elias Olvera from Cape Henlopen High School, Anawo (Nife) Olunifemi from Sussex Central High School and Chase Reynolds of Sussex Academy. 

Additional competitors and their schools are are Cale Cooper, Delaware Valley Classical School; Trinity Gbolo, MOT Charter High School; Becca Hurwitz, Concord High School; Brooke Kennedy, Saint Mark’s High School; Carmen Mestre-Tlacuatl, Delcastle Technical High School; Cathy Mosely, Paul M. Hodgson Vo-Tech High School;  Kalor Pewee, First State Military Academy; and Olivia Stevens, Mount Sophia Academy.

At their schools, students selected and recited works from an anthology of more than 1,200 poems. Their teachers or facilitators ran their school’s local Poetry Out Loud competition that then selected a winner to advance to the state finals.

“Congratulations to the 11 talented and creative high school students who have been selected as finalists in the 2025 Delaware Poetry Out Loud competition,” said Jessica Ball, division director. “Your hard work and passion for the arts is truly inspiring. The arts play a critical role in creating well-rounded individuals, fostering imagination, creativity and critical thinking skills that are essential to success in all aspects of life. Keep up the great work, and we can’t wait to see where your passion for the arts takes you in the future.”

The state winner will represent Delaware in the national finals to be held Monday to Wednesday, May 5 to 7, when $50,000 in awards and school stipends will be distributed.