On Monday, February 2, 2015, Springboard plays host to the St. Louis Regional Competition of Poetry Out Loud. Poetry Out Loud is a national recitation contest open to all high school students and conducted in all 50 states by the National Endowment for the Arts. The Missouri Arts Council and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education collaborate to bring this program to Missouri. Poetry Out Loud builds students’ speaking skills, develops appreciation for poetry, increases self-confidence and poise, and provides scholarship prizes. In January, 2015, St. Louis high schools hold speaking competitions for their participants. Those winners compete at the regional competition at Springboard and, if successful, then move on to the state competition on March 12, 2015 in Jefferson City. Find out why students and teachers love the program in this new five-minute video, featuring Thomas Fields, 2014 Missouri State Champion. For more information or to get involved, contact Debora Grandison at [email protected] or 636-236-6254.