Monmouth County Student Crowned State Champion Of NJ Poetry Competition

TINTON FALLS, NJ — A high school student from Monmouth County has been crowned State Champion at the 2026 NJ Poetry Out Loud State Finals, part of the National Poetry Out Loud recitation program.

Joy Ogunsakin, a senior from Trinity Hall in Tinton Falls, was named State Champion following an adjudication that took place on March 3 at the Count Basie Center for the Arts.

Now that Ogunsakin has been crowned State Champion, she’ll go on to represent New Jersey at the Poetry Out Loud Finals in Washington, D.C., from April 27 through April 29.

There, State Champions will compete for the national Poetry Out Loud title and the chance to win prizes, including college scholarships.

“The Count Basie Center for the Arts is once again proud to partner with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and serve as the state’s home for Poetry Out Loud,” said Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts.

“Each year, this program gives students a powerful platform to express themselves by sharing the poetry that reflects their own voices,” Philipson continued. “We congratulate all of this year’s participants and look forward to supporting Joy at the national competition in April.”

In an online post, Trinity Hall congratulated Ogunsakin on her accomplishment, adding that they’ll be cheering her on as she takes the national stage.

“Supporting [Joy] at the competition were her friends and Trinity Hall’s Poetry Out Loud coordinators, Mrs. Phillips and Mrs. Orrico, who praised Joy’s deep understanding of her poems and her thoughtful preparation,” school officials said. “In preparing for her recitation of ‘Blues Fantasy’ by Langston Hughes, Joy and Mrs. Phillips even listened to happy blues music to help her connect more fully with the spirit and rhythm of the piece.”

“We are so proud of Joy on this incredible accomplishment. We will be cheering her on as she takes the national stage!”

Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country.

The State Finals were the culmination of a statewide initiative that began in the fall of 2025 and included 10,758 New Jersey students from 68 high schools and organizations across the state.

In addition to Ogunsakin, fellow Monmouth County student Evelynn Knox, a sophomore from Henry Hudson Regional School in the Highlands, earned the title of State Runner-Up at this year’s competition.

“For the past 20 years, Poetry Out Loud has been one of the State Arts Council’s cornerstone arts education programs,” said Allison Tratner, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. “The talent and dedication of the participating students is truly inspiring, and we are grateful to the educators, administrators, family members, and friends who supported the students and this program from the beginning.”

“New Jersey has historically been one of the most engaged states in this national program, and that is due to the collective belief in the power of arts education and the priority placed on providing avenues for young people to express themselves,” Tratner continued. “We look forward to cheering on Joy as they represent New Jersey in Washington, D.C.!”

Other state finalists from Poetry Out Loud include:

• Myles Cherette from Franklin High School
• Shorook Esmaeel from Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School
• Gabrielle Ford from Livingston Public Schools
• Abigail Grugan from Cinnaminson High School
• Evelynn Knox from Henry Hudson Regional School
• Journe Lucas from Hammonton High School
• Christina Massey from Atlantic City High School
• Sirra Mbye from North Star Academy – Washington Park
• Afra Miao from The Lawrenceville School
• Ella Moise from Ramsey High School
• Joy Ogunsakin from Trinity Hall
• Noelle Sapp from Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School

To learn more about NJ Poetry Out Loud and the State Finals, you can click here or visit the NJ Poetry Out Loud website.