Grant High student named Oregon’s Poetry Out Loud champion

Published 2:13 pm Monday, March 10, 2025

Grant High School junior Bena Rodecap brought home the title of Oregon’s 2025 Poetry Out Loud champion on Saturday, March 8.

Held at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre, nine students competed from schools across the state for a chance to move on to the Poetry Out Loud National Finals.

“I chose poems that resonated with me,” Rodecap said. “I could immediately feel what the poet was trying to say.”

The poem’s she recited were “A Noiseless Patient Spider,” by Walt Whitman, “Say Grace” by Emily Jungmin Yoon and “How to Write a Poem,” by Laura Hershey.

Rodecap will represent Oregon at the finals held on May 5-7 in Washington D.C.

“I feel so honored and I am really shocked,” she said. “I never thought I would win. I’ve loved poetry my entire life and this whole experience has been incredibly special.”

She chose to participate in the competition because she loves poetry, and gives thanks to her teacher, Paige Battle, for her “tireless guidance.” Outside of poetry, Bena likes to read, write and volunteer.

Gio Calandrella, a freshman at Grant High School, was named runner up. Should Rodecap be unable to attend the national competition, Gio would be invited to represent Oregon.

He spends his time acting, singing and doing other types of writing. Calandrella is currently in his school’s musical and is the winner of da Vinci Arts Middle School’s 2024 poetry slam.