LAKEPORT, Calif. – This month, talented young poets from around Lake County will share their work and seek the chance to advance to state and national poetry competitions.

The Poetry Out Loud Lake County Competition takes place at the Soper Reese Theatre on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m.

This year's event features competitors from Middletown and Clear Lake High Schools. Winners at this event will go on to compete at the state level.

The public is invited to attend; entry is free of charge.

The event is supported and promoted by the Lake County Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, Poetry Foundation and the California Arts Council.

Poetry Out Loud is national program intended to help students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, learn about their literary heritage and compete for college scholarship funding.

Millions of high school students participate across the country with California as one of the largest.

Students begin with poetry recitations at the classroom level. Classroom winners advance to a school-wide competition and each school’s champion competes at the county level.

Winners of Feb. 12 Lake County competition advance to the state finals to be held in Sacramento on March 12 and 13.

The State Finals competition is usually held in the historic Senate Chambers and is Webcast and televised via the California Channel.

The county champions are honored with a dinner reception and each receives a certificate of recognition from their legislative representative.

The National Finals will be held in Washington D.C., April 25 and 26. Check out www.poetryoutloud.org for more information.

The Soper Reese Theatre is located at 275 S. Main St. in Lakeport and can be reached at 707-263-0577.