Students from Aptos High and St. Francis High School will be competing to see who will advance to the state championship rounds. Poetry Out Loud encourages youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. This dynamic program helps high school students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, learn about their literary heritage and compete for more than $100,000 in awards. Judges will be Patricia Zylius, editor and poet; Randy Peyser, CEO of Author One Stop; Kate Hitt, poet and owner of Many Names Press;  and Helene Simkin Jara, poet and actor. Hosted by Magdalena Montagne.