On Saturday, February 8, 2025, two CHS students competed in the Poetry Out Loud Regional competition. Artspace 204 in Carbondale, Illinois, hosted the event. Chace Murphy, a junior, and Brodie Mattingly, sophomore, represented Chester against other area schools after advancing through the local competition in January.

In order to compete, participants must memorize two poems from the anthology selected by Poetry Out Loud curators each year. Chace recited “Across the Bay” by Donald Davie and “1st Vote” by Kamilah Aisha Moon. Brodie chose “Advice to a Prophet” by Richard Wilbur and “Carnival” by Rebecca Linderburg.

Both students entered the competition as students of Miss Hodge’s Creative Writing elective, as well as members of the CHS Writers’ Circle. All Chester High School students are eligible to participate in the 2026 competition.