A Powerful Voice Returns! Maximilian Goodly, Our 2026 San Bernardino County Poetry Out Loud Champion!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
We are excited to celebrate the return of a remarkable young voice in the world of poetry and performance! Maximilian Goodly, a junior from Norton Science & Language Academy, and our 2026 San Bernardino County Poetry Out Loud Champion.
Held on January 24th at the Dorothy Ingram Learning Center, this year’s competition brought together talented students from different high schools across the county. Hosted by Arts Connection - The Arts Council of San Bernardino County, the event forms part of the National Poetry Out Loud Program, which exists thanks to the statewide collaboration with the California Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Poetry Foundation, and the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools.
Maximilian’s dedication, love and commitment to poetry, earned him the County’s top spot for the second time! He advanced to the California State Finals, held on March 8th - 9th, 2026, where he distinguished himself as one of the state’s top finalists among 48 county champions and more than 14,500 student participants statewide.
“Max delivered a truly exceptional showing across all three rounds of competition. He opened with a flawless recitation of “Ode for Memorial Day” by Paul Laurence Dunbar, demonstrating precision, control, and deep emotional resonance. In round two, he energized the audience with a powerful and rousing performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key. He concluded with a moving and masterful interpretation of “The Feet of Judas” by George Marion McClellan, leaving a lasting impression on all who watched.” - Mr. David Silas Tellyer, M.Ed. NSLA Secondary English Lead Teacher and Poetry Out Loud Coordinator
This is more than an accomplishment, this is a moment of pride for our region and a testament to the talent, poise, and power that lives in the youth of San Bernardino County. Please join us in congratulating Maximilian on this incredible achievement. We can’t wait to see what he does next!
Special thanks to our partners making this program possible: California Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Poetry Foundation, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, and to all the amazing participants sharing their talent and helping uplift San Bernardino County.
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Media Contact
Ulises Rodriguez
Associate Director
Arts Connection — Arts Council of San Bernardino County
