Three Local Students Among Nine Finalists for Oregon's "Poetry Out Loud."

Three students from southern Oregon are among nine state finalists in the “Poetry Out Loud” contest. The finalists won at the school and regional levels. At this Saturday’s finals in Salem, contestants will be judged on a variety of performance-related criteria such as dramatization, articulation, presence and accuracy of understanding. Finalists include Alexander Barnes, a home schooled student who attends Ashland High part-time, Calvin Jarvis of Hidden Valley High, and Rebekah Ratcliff of Cascade Christian. The winner receives a trip to Washington D.C., a $200 scholarship and $500 for the school library. The winner also moves on to nationals, where they have a chance to win a $35,000 scholarship.