The Spoken Word Competition for High School Students is BACK!
In partnership with the Raleigh Fine Arts Society, the Spoken Word Competition for High School Students has returned for its third year. The contest is open to students in the 9-12 grades attending school in Wake, Orange, or Durham counties.
Students are invited to write an original poem and submit a video of their performance of their poem to be adjudicated by a panel of professional spoken word artists and poets.
Winners will be honored at a reception at the NC Museum of Art and the top three student submissions will be awarded $1,000, $500, and $300. Nine additional students will receive honorable mentions and will each be awarded a $100 Amazon gift card.
How to Enter:
Create a three-minute or less video of an original poetry piece and submit through the online application form here.
Deadline to Apply: November 9, 2025 before 11:59 pm
Congrats to the 2024 Winners!
First Place: Josephine Geolas from Wakefield High School
Second Place: Kenna Zhang from Cary Academy
Third Place: Talia Favatella from North Wake College and Career Academy
Congratulations to the 2024 Finalists!
- Alexandra Cox from Rolesville High School
- Bailee Cosby from Green Hope High School
- Josephine Geolas from Wakefield High School
- Kelsey Rutter from Wakefield High School
- Kenna Zhang from Cary Academy
- Mikah Matthew Bennett from Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy
- Milagros Lopez Sceena from Carrboro High School
- Nicholas Johnson from Wakefield High School
- Shia Raine Edwards from Enloe High School
- Sophia George from Leesville Road High School
- Talia Favatella from North Wake College and Career Academy
- Zoz Alexander from Enloe High School
Click Here to View the 2023 Contest Winners!
