Sophie Hemphill Selected to Represent SHS at State Poetry Out Loud

January 30, 2026

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Seward High School Sophomore, Sophie Hemphill competed and won the local Seward “Poetry Out Loud” poetry recitation contest held at Seward High on Tuesday, January 27th, 2026. First Runner-up was Katy ( Katherine) Daniels, also an SHS Sophomore.

Judges for the event were Nancy Schutz, retired English Teacher/ Speech/Drama Coach and Jeanne Wiemer- President of the Seward Arts Council. SHS English educator, Melissa Pohl served as the accuracy judge.

She will represent SHS at the State “Poetry Out Loud” Contest on March 8, 2026 at Kimmel Hall on Midland Campus in Fremont, NE.  The winner at the state contest will represent Nebraska at the “Poetry Out Loud” National contest April 27-29 in Washington DC!

The students were asked to memorize one of the 250 poems officially listed in “Poetry Out Loud” list and recite it to the local judge's. She selected “Ships That Pass in the Night,” by Paul Laurence Dunbar.  For the state “Poetry Out Loud” contest she must select and memorize three poems from the list and video and recite two poems to be sent in advance of the State “Poetry Out Loud” Contest!

Both Hemphill and Daniels will be recognized at a future P.R.I.D.E. Rally.  Both will be honored and receive framed, signed certificates and medals.

“Poetry Out Loud” is a national program and sponsored locally by the Seward Arts Council and The Nebraska Arts Council (NAC) on the State Level. The national sponsors are the National Endowment for the Arts, Poetry Foundation and Art Works. On the state and national level there are cash scholarships awarded.

The local event was coordinated by  former SHS teacher -Clark Kolterman. SHS educator- Spencer Jakubs is the Speech Coach /Teacher for both Hemphill and Daniels.

Photo: L-R Melissa Pohl- Accuracy Judge, Sophie Hemphill- winner, Nancy Schulz -Poetry Judge, Katy Daniels- First Runner-Up, Jeanne Wiemer-Poetry Judge.