Yerington High Student Wins Nevada Poetry Out Loud Championship

A Yerington High School student is the new Nevada Poetry Out Loud State Champion, earning the chance to represent the Silver State at the national finals in Washington, D.C.

Mari Basaca Fuentes claimed the state title during the Nevada Poetry Out Loud competition held Saturday. Officials with the Lyon County School District said this marks her second consecutive year competing at the state level.

Poetry Out Loud is a national recitation competition that invites high school students to study poetry through memorization and live performance. The program helps students strengthen public speaking skills, build confidence, and deepen their appreciation for literature.

With her state championship victory, Fuentes will travel to Washington, D.C., next month to compete in the Poetry Out Loud National Finals.

There, she will face students from across the country while representing Nevada, Lyon County, and Yerington High School on the national stage.