NASHVILLE—The 2026 Tennessee Poetry Out Loud (POL) champion is Sarah Williamson, a student at Hardin Valley Academy in Knox County. The competition was held on Saturday, February 28, at the Center for the Arts in Murfreesboro. This was Sarah’s first time competing in Poetry Out Loud.
“I love the art of poetry; the way that words fit together to be interpreted and performed, resonating with people’s emotions and experiences,” said champion Sarah Williamson. “Despite the nerves, I love performing and am thrilled to represent Tennessee at the national competition!”
Also receiving state POL awards is first runner-up, Beatrice Sanders, a sophomore from Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts. Eriel Wilkins from Arlington High School is the second runner-up, and Haakeem Holmes from Harding Academy of Memphis is the third runner-up. All four state finalists received a 2026 Poetry Out Loud TN award crafted by David Adkins of Art Wire Music in Murfreesboro. Finalists’ schools also will receive stipends for the purchase of poetry books and supplies.
Sarah Williamson, as the state champion, will participate in the Poetry Out Loud National Finals on April 27th - 29th in Washington D.C. Champions from each state will perform in one of three semifinals held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM ET. The top three students from each semifinal group will move on to the Poetry Out Loud National Finals event on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET. Poetry Out Loud will award a total of $50,000 to students and schools at the National Finals, including a $20,000 award for the Poetry Out Loud National Champion.
“Research shows participating in Poetry Out Loud offers many benefits. Learning to analyze, memorize, and interpret poetry supports students in their English Language Arts courses and develops equally important writing and analytical skills helpful for success in work and life,” said Anne B. Pope, Executive Director of the TN Arts Commission. “On behalf of the Commission, we congratulate all of the students who participated in Poetry Out Loud and wish Sarah the best as she represents Tennessee at the National Finals next month.”
The National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Tennessee Arts Commission presented POL 2026. The program seeks to foster the next generation of literary readers by capitalizing on the latest trends in poetry, recitation and performance, building on the resurgence of poetry as an oral art form.
