Hunter Hazelton, a senior at Betty Fairfax High School in Laveen, Arizona, was named 2016 Arizona Poetry Out Loud State Champion at the state finals competition held on March 11, 2016 at the downtown Phoenix studios of Arizona PBS. As State Champion, Hazelton will represent Arizona at the 11th annual Poetry Out Loud National Finals competition in Washington, D.C., in May.

image1As the Arizona Poetry Out Loud state champion, Hazelton receives a $200 cash award and an all-expenses-paid trip for himself and a chaperone to the national finals, to be held in Washington, D.C., May 2-4, 2016. Additionally, his school will receive $500 to purchase poetry books for its library.

“The students work hard to get to the finals,” said Robert C. Booker, Executive Director of the Arizona Commission on the Arts. “Watching such a diverse group of exceptional young people from around the state stand tall, recite, and display their understanding and love of poetry is truly remarkable and inspirational. These young people learn skills through this competition that will serve them for a lifetime.”

The distinguished panel of judges for the event included professional poets, performers, and educators, including, Jia Oak Baker, Fatimah Halim, Leah Marché, Pamela Sterling, and Dr. Laura Tohe.

Poet and teaching artist Tomas Stanton emceed the event. Dr. Laura Tohe, Poet Laureate of the Navajo Nation, appeared as a special guest, reciting her own work for an appreciative audience.

Arizona PBS will broadcast highlights from the state finals competition at 9:00pm on Friday, April 15, 2016.

The Poetry Out Loud National Finals will take place between May 2-4, 2016, in Washnigton, D.C.

Congratulations to Hunter and thanks to the parents, teachers, coaches, and friends who came out on Friday to show their support!


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