Charleston student named state Poetry Out Loud champion

Congratulations to Katherine Murchison, a junior at Charleston County School of the Arts, who was named South Carolina champion for the Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest on March 16. Murchison now advances to the Poetry Out Loud National Finals to represent South Carolina and take her shot at a $20,000 scholarship. The national finals take place April 29-30 in Washington, D.C.

As the state champion, Murchison receives $200 and an all-expense paid trip to compete in the national finals. The Charleston County School of the Arts library also receives a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books.

Murchison was one of nine regional finalists who competed at the Columbia Museum of Art during state finals. Each recited two poems they had memorized and perfected during school-wide and regional competitions that took place throughout the state from October to January, when more than 4,000 students began the competition.

Justin Fox, (pictured below right) a senior at Spartanburg High School, was named state runner-up. He receives $100, and his school library receives a $200 poetry book stipend.

Read more about the Poetry Out Loud state finals.