Six finalists participated in the two-round competition. Competing were Jash Rosal from Elk Grove High School; Mark Burgess from John F. Kennedy High School; Ember Hall from Natomas Charter School; Samrita Naidu from Rio Americano High School; Jefferson Stringfellow from Inderkum High School; and Raghad Tumeh from Grant Union High School. Naidu is the finalist pictured fifth from the left. Photo courtesy of Sacramento County Office of Education

SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - The road to a poetry recitation competition is more than memorizing verses: it’s a journey of self-expression, confidence and connection to the power of words.

As students bring poetry to life, they develop public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life. This experience leaves a lasting impact, shaping their voices long after the competition has ended.

Jash Rosal from Elk Grove High School (Elk Grove Unified School District) claimed victory in the Feb. 5 2025 Sacramento County Poetry Out Loud recitation contest.

Jash Rosal from Elk Grove High School won the 2025 Sacramento County Poetry Out Loud recitation contest. Photo courtesy of Sacramento County Office of Education

The five other finalists were Mark Burgess from John F. Kennedy High School; Ember Hall from Natomas Charter School; Samrita Naidu from Rio Americano High School; Jefferson Stringfellow from Inderkum High School; and Raghad Tumeh from Grant Union High School in the Twin Rivers Unified School District.

The thrilling finals, hosted by the Sacramento County Office of Education at its Conference Center in Mather, showcased Rosal’s exceptional performance, earning him the top honor. Rosal will represent Sacramento County in the upcoming California Poetry Out Loud competition, slated for March 16 to March 17 in Sacramento.

During the two-round competition, the six participants captivated the audience with their unfeigned recitations of two carefully-chosen poems, each performance showcasing their dedication and artistry. A panel of judges meticulously evaluated their delivery, interpreting both the depth of emotion and technical skill.

Ember Hall from Natomas Charter School was the runner-up. Photo courtesy of Sacramento County Office of Education

The competition was fierce, with Ember Hall from Natomas Charter School (Natomas Unified School District) securing the position of Sacramento County runner-up. As the evening concluded, emcee Xanthi Soriano, Sacramento County Office of Education’s executive director of communications, announced the winner and runner-up, celebrating their remarkable talent and commitment to the art of poetry recitation.

The Sacramento Educational Cable Consortium partnered with Sacramento County Office of Education to record the competition. The broadcast will air on March 1 and March 15 at 4 p.m. on Comcast Channel 15, AT&T U-Verse Channel 14, and Consolidated Communications Channel 21. It will also be available on the Sacramento Educational Cable Consortium website.

A panel of judges evaluated the delivery of the recitations, scoring depth of emotion and technical skill. Photo courtesy of Sacramento County Office of Education

The Sacramento County Poetry Out Loud competition encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance and competition. The program provides students with the opportunity to perform poetry in English classes. Modeled after the National Spelling Bee structure, students start by competing in their local schools. The winners progress to regional and state competitions, with state winners competing at the national level. Poetry Out Loud was launched nationwide in 2006.

Sacramento County’s Poetry Out Loud program is supported by the Sacramento County Office of Education, California Poets in the Schools, and the Poetry Foundation. It is funded in part by the California Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.