Congratulations to the Top Three Winners!

In partnership with the Raleigh Fine Arts Society, the Spoken Word Competition for High School Students has returned for a second year. Students across Wake, Orange, and Durham Counties were invited to write an original poem and submit a video of their performance of their poem to be adjudicated by a panel of professional poets. Winners will be honored at a reception at the NC Museum of Art and the top three scoring poems will be awarded cash prizes.

First Place ($1000): Josephine Geolas from Wakefield High School
Second Place ($500): Kenna Zhang from Cary Academy
Third Place ($300): Talia Favatella from North Wake College and Career Academy

All top 12 Finalists receive a $100 Amazon Gift Card.

The 2025 High School Spoken Word Contest application will open in Fall 2025.

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!