Shore students sweep New Jersey Poetry Out Loud finals
A young Shore poet will represent New Jersey on the national stage.
Joy Ogunsakin, a senior from Trinity Hall in Tinton Falls, earned the title of state champion during the 2026 New Jersey Poetry Out Loud State Finals on March 3 at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.
Ogunsakin will compete for the Poetry Out Loud title during the national finals, set for April 27 to 29 in Washington, DC. The state champions will have the chance to win prizes including college scholarships.
The New Jerey runner-up also is from the Shore − Evelynn Knox, a sophomore from Henry Hudson Regional School in Highlands.
The New Jersey competition began in fall of 2025 and included nearly 11,000 New Jersey students from 68 different high schools and organizations.
Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that "encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country," organizers say.
"The Count Basie Center for the Arts is once again proud to partner with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and serve as the state's home for Poetry Out Loud," said Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts, in a news release.
"Each year, this program gives students a powerful platform to express themselves by sharing the poetry that reflects their own voices. We congratulate all of this year's participants and look forward to supporting Joy at the national competition in April," Philipson said.
Allison Tratner, executive director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, calls Poetry Out Loud one of the council's "cornerstone arts education programs."
"The talent and dedication of the participating students is truly inspiring," said Tratner. "And we are grateful to the educators, administrators, family members, and friends who supported the students and this program from the beginning. New Jersey has historically been one of the most engaged states in this national program, and that is due to the collective belief in the power of arts education and the priority placed on providing avenues for young people to express themselves. We look forward to cheering on Joy as they represent New Jersey in Washington DC!"
The full list of New Jersey state finals is:
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Myles Cherette from Franklin High School
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Shorook Esmaeel from Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School
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Gabrielle Ford from Livingston Public Schools
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Abigail Grugan from Cinnaminson High School
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Evelynn Knox from Henry Hudson Regional School
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Journe Lucas from Hammonton High School
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Christina Massey from Atlantic City High School
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Sirra Mbye from North Start Academy - Washington Park
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Afra Miao from The Lawrenceville School
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Ella Moise from Ramsey High School
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Joy Ogunsakin from Trinity Hall
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Noelle Sapp from Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School
For more information about New Jersey Poetry Out Loud, visit njpol.org .
Ilana Keller is an award-winning journalist and lifelong New Jersey resident who loves Broadway and really bad puns. Reach out: ikeller@gannettnj.com .
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(Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Joy Ogunsakin of Trinity Hall wins New Jersey Poetry Out Loud finals
