BISMARCK, N.D. (Feb. 25, 2026) – The North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA) issued a press release announcing that Aspen Geist of Wyndmere Public School is the 2026 State Champion and first place winner of the North Dakota State Poetry Out Loud (POL) contest. Adalyn Picken of Wahpeton High School received second place honors with third place awarded to DeLainis Kroh of Mandan High School.
Master of Ceremonies Alicia Hegland-Thorpe, Poetry Out Loud Coordinator Matthew Anderson, POL Assistant Coordinator Brenna Lahren, and NDCA Executive Director Jessica Christy presented the awards to the participants. All contestants received a swag bag full of small promotional gifts and included a certificate of participation. First place winner Aspen Geist received a trophy, medallion, $200, and an all-expenses-paid trip (with adult chaperone) to Washington, D.C., April 27-29, to compete at the National Finals. Wyndmere Public School received a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books and the honor of displaying the POL Traveling Trophy. Second place winner Adalyn Picken received a trophy, a medallion, and $100, with Wahpeton High School receiving $200.
Poetry Out Loud is a national program supported by the National Endowment for the Arts that inspires students to engage with poetry through performance and interpretation. This year’s program carries special significance: in recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, the 2025–2026 POL season highlights poems that celebrate the rich tapestry of American history and culture.
The program starts at the local level with a school or participating organization. Winners then may advance to a regional and/or state competition, and ultimately to the national finals. Since the program began in 2005, more than 4.5 million students and 81,000 teachers from 20,000 schools across the U.S. have participated in Poetry Out Loud. At the national finals, a total of $50,000 is awarded annually including a $20,000 award for the National Champion, $10,000 for 2nd place, $5,000 for 3rd place, and $1,000 for 4th-12th places.
The 2026 North Dakota state competition judges included: Sacred Pipe Resource Center Executive Director Dr. Cheryl Ann Kary (Haunkuotawin); award-winning journalist, poet, and co-founder of Young Poets Anna Paige; retired Prairie Public Director of Radio Bill Thomas; Associate Professor of English at Bismarck State College Michael Tomanek; and acting as accuracy judge, retired North Dakota State Fiscal Officer and NDCA Grants Administrator Robin Bosch.
Entertainment during the event included DJ music by David Diebel of D&N Cinematics and a special keynote presentation by culture bearer Prairie Rose Seminole, enrolled member of the MHA Nation.
For further information on national Poetry Out Loud, visit www.poetryoutloud.org or contact North Dakota’s POL Coordinator Matthew Anderson at 701-328-7593 or [email protected].
