Maui Prep Voice Shines at State Poetry Out Loud Finals

Representing the Pueo with poise and passion, Sacha Salem '26 led the charge as the school’s high school champion. Joining the trip was Jacksen Smith '30, who claimed the Middle School title. While the official national competition is reserved for high schoolers, Jacksen’s performance served as a preview of things to come; he looks forward to entering the competitive bracket once he reaches the Upper School.

The road to Honolulu began in the classroom. Every student in the Middle and Upper Schools participated in the program, memorizing and performing selected works within their English Language Arts classes.

Following these initial rounds, teachers advanced class winners to the school-wide finals. There, a panel of judges selected Sacha and Jacksen to represent Maui Prep on the state level.

Accompanied by Maui Prep faculty member Mrs. Jessica Lucia, the students traveled to Oahu for a rigorous day of competition. Each participant performed two poems in the initial rounds, with the highest-scoring students advancing to the final stage.

Sacha Salem prepared a sophisticated repertoire for the event, showcasing a range of emotional depth and technical skill:

Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages students to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance. By mastering these works, students build self-confidence, improve public speaking skills, and connect deeply with literary history.