Calvin Jarvis, 16, of Hidden Valley High School, a member of the track team throwing the discus and shot put, will compete in the Poetry Out Loud contest this weekend in Salem.

Jarvis is one of nine high school aged poetry champions from around Oregon set to compete this Saturday. Each competitor has already won both school and regional contests held earlier this year.

The high school champions will be judged on physical presence, voice and articulation, appropriateness of dramatization, accuracy, evidence of understanding, level of difficulty and overall performance. Each contestant must prepare three poems.

Two others are competing from Southern Oregon, Alexander Barnes, 18, a home schooled senior from Ashland; and Rebekah Ratcliff, 15, representing Cascade Christian School in Medford.

The state winner will be announced immediately after the recitations and will represent Oregon in the finals in Washington, D.C. April 29th and 30th. The winner receives a $200 scholarship and $500 for his school library to purchase library books. More than $35,000 in scholarships is available in the finals.