The Lassen County Arts Council (LCAC) is proud to celebrate the success of the 2026 Lassen County Poetry Out Loud Final Competition and announce this year’s champion.
The stage was set for an afternoon of powerful verses and rising talent on Saturday, January 24th, as local high school students took the mic at the Sierra Theatre for the county finals. The free event, held in the second-floor auditorium, was hosted by the Lassen County Arts Council and welcomed friends, family, and community members eager to support local youth through the arts.
Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation program that brings literature to life through student performance. Since the program began in 2005, more than 4.5 million high school students across the country have participated.
“Poetry Out Loud lifts poetry off the page, creating community and connection,” said Poetry Out Loud Coordinator, Abby Datema. “The program helps students improve public speaking skills, build confidence, and grow their appreciation for poetry.”
Local Student Preparation
The road to the finals was a collaborative educational effort. In Lassen County this year, five classrooms from three separate schools participated in the program.
Students prepared through workshops focused on expression through voice and movement, as well as exploring the meaning behind published works of poetry. These workshops were led by Abby Datema, a teaching artist and Theater Education Specialist.
Datema is a passionate advocate for arts education and has worked in communities and classrooms across the United States and abroad to create and implement programs, provide workshops, and curate performance opportunities for marginalized and underserved communities.
Congratulations to the 2026 Champion
The Lassen County Arts Council is pleased to announce that Jacey Pontarolo was named the 2026 Lassen County Poetry Out Loud Winner.
Jacey was awarded $400 in prize money and will represent Lassen County at the California State Poetry Out Loud Competition in Sacramento later this year.
Thank You to Our Supporters
The LCAC extends sincere appreciation to everyone who helped make this year’s competition possible, including:
- Abby Datema for leading the Poetry Out Loud program
- Jenn Lepage for supporting the Lassen High School student competitors
- Judges Alex McElrath, Ruth McElrath, and Lynne Sella
- Master of Ceremonies Phil Finkel
- The friends, families, and community members who attended and encouraged student performers
- SPAC for allowing the Lassen County Arts Council to rent the theatre for the competition
The Lassen County Arts Council is honored to support programs like Poetry Out Loud that provide meaningful opportunities for students and strengthen the cultural vitality of our community.
LCAC Gallery & Gift Shop Hours
The LCAC Gallery & Gift Shop is open on limited dates during the winter:
- Friday, February 20 & 27 | 3:00–7:00 PM
- Saturday, February 21 | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
- Spring dates and hours to be announced.
For more information about Poetry Out Loud or upcoming Arts Council events, please contact the Lassen County Arts Council at [email protected]
