VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Tallwood High School senior Ahkei Togun has been named the 2016 National Poetry Out Loud Champion.
Along with the title, he also won $20,000.
Togun is a two-time state champion, earning his first state championship title as a junior.
The national competition was held May 2 to May 4 in Washington, D.C.
Togun beat out finalists from Georgia and Hawaii to win the title.
More that 317,000 students nationwide participated in the event, which began at the school level and advanced through the regionals, states and nationals.
The competition helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about literary heritage.
Togun, who has participated in the event since his freshman year, will begin college in New York this fall where he will study acting.
