15-Year-Old Zeke Moses Wins 2025 Poetry Out Loud State Finals, Heads to Nationals
When he’s not acting, singing, or dancing, Bexley High School freshman Zeke Moses is busy winning poetry competitions. On Feb. 7, Zeke made history as the youngest-ever winner of Ohio’s Poetry Out Loud State Finals, held at WOSU Public Media in Columbus.
Zeke’s victory earned him $200, plus $500 for his school library. Now, he’s set to represent Ohio at the Poetry Out Loud National Finals from May 5-7 at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he’ll compete for a share of $50,000 in prizes, including a $20,000 grand prize.
A passionate performer, Zeke has honed his stage presence through acting, music, and dance. He chose to recite “Or” by Thomas Sayers Ellis, “America, I Sing You Back” by Allison Adelle Hedge Coke, and “The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd” by Sir Walter Raleigh—poems that deeply resonate with him.
“I’ve always loved performing, but this experience gave me a new appreciation for poetry,” said Zeke. Looking ahead, he hopes to build a career on stage as an actor.
