RFAS celebrates diversity of thought, experience, and culture.
OUR FOCUS
About The Spoken Word Contest
FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE LITERARY CONTEST
The Literary Contest was launched as a project for RFAS in November 1978. Initially, it was a short story contest among Wake County high school students. Over time, especially after the COVID shutdowns, entries declined. The event was reevaluated, and a new competition was designed to better meet current high school curricula.
In December 2023, the inaugural Spoken Word Contest was held. Created by Dasan Ahanu as part of his tenure as Piedmont Laureate, the contest is sponsored by United Arts, Raleigh Arts, Durham Arts Council and the Orange County Arts Commission, in partnership with the Raleigh Fine Arts Society. This project includes providing performances at four historically under-resourced high schools in Wake County and provides teachers in Wake, Orange and Durham counties with resources to utilize in the classroom. Open to all high school students Triangle-wide, it continues to be juried by professionals and features significant prize awards. The application process opens the end of August and is held every winter.
Dasan Ahanu,
2023 Piedmont Laureate
SPOKEN WORD CONTEST
Winners and Finalists announced in the 2025-2026 High School Spoken Word Contest
United Arts of Wake County and Raleigh Fine Arts Society announced the three winners in the High School Spoken Word Contest at the award ceremony which was held at the North Carolina Museum of Art on February 11, 2026. The 12 finalists, listed below, were invited to the reception with their families.
The contest was created by Dasan Ahanu as part of his tenure as Piedmont Laureate. The contest is sponsored by United Arts, Raleigh Arts, Durham Arts Council, Orange County Arts Commission, and in partnership with Raleigh Fine Arts Society.
Congratulations to the 2025-2026 Spoken Word Winners.
Winners:
1st place: Sophie Brinton, Enloe High School, Marks/Not Alone
2nd place: Selina Sentosa Harjo, Green Hope High School, Invisible Hand
3rd place: Shia Raine Edwards, Enloe High School, A Taste of the Black Experience
Finalists:
Abner Sanabria Cruz – Leesville Road High School
Alex Cox – Rolesville High School
Alex Kaulfuss – Wake Early College of Information and Biotechnologies
Naomi Hammer – Cary Academy
Natalie Tarry – Green Hope High School
Paola Quinones-Olmeda – Wakefield High School
Philip Adefila – Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy
Selina Sentosa Harjo – Green Hope High School
Shia Raine Edwards – Enloe Magnet High School
Sophie Brinton – Enloe Magnet High School
Winnie Wheeler – Green Hope High School
Zoz Alexander – Enloe High School
OUR FOCUS
About The
Spoken Word Contest
(formerly known as the literary contest)
The Literary Contest was launched as a project for RFAS in November 1978. Initially, it was a short story contest among Wake County high school students. Over time, especially after the COVID shutdowns, entries declined. The event was reevaluated, and a new competition was designed to better meet current high school curricula.
In December 2023, the inaugural Spoken Word Contest was held. Created by Dasan Ahanu as part of his tenure as Piedmont Laureate, the contest is sponsored by United Arts, Raleigh Arts, Durham Arts Council and the Orange County Arts Commission, in partnership with the Raleigh Fine Arts Society. This project includes providing performances at four historically under-resourced high schools in Wake County and provides teachers in Wake, Orange and Durham counties with resources to utilize in the classroom. Open to all high school students Triangle-wide, it continues to be juried by professionals and features significant prize awards. The application process opens the end of August and is held every winter.
Dasan Ahanu,
2023 Piedmont Laureate
SPOKEN WORD CONTEST
Winners and Finalists announced in the 2025-2026 High School Spoken Word Contest
United Arts of Wake County and Raleigh Fine Arts Society announced the three winners in the High School Spoken Word Contest at the award ceremony which was held at the North Carolina Museum of Art on February 11, 2026. The 12 finalists, listed below, were invited to the reception with their families.
The contest was created by Dasan Ahanu as part of his tenure as Piedmont Laureate. The contest is sponsored by United Arts, Raleigh Arts, Durham Arts Council, Orange County Arts Commission, and in partnership with Raleigh Fine Arts Society.
Congratulations to the 2025-2026 Spoken Word Winners.
Winners:
1st place: Sophie Brinton, Enloe High School, Marks/Not Alone
2nd place: Selina Sentosa Harjo, Green Hope High School, Invisible Hand
3rd place: Shia Raine Edwards, Enloe High School, A Taste of the Black Experience
Finalists:
Abner Sanabria Cruz – Leesville Road High School
Alex Cox – Rolesville High School
Alex Kaulfuss – Wake Early College of Information and Biotechnologies
Naomi Hammer – Cary Academy
Natalie Tarry – Green Hope High School
Paola Quinones-Olmeda – Wakefield High School
Philip Adefila – Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy
Selina Sentosa Harjo – Green Hope High School
Shia Raine Edwards – Enloe Magnet High School
Sophie Brinton – Enloe Magnet High School
Winnie Wheeler – Green Hope High School
Zoz Alexander – Enloe High School
Watch Highlights From This Year
2025-2026 Spoken Word Finalist Performances
Relive the inspiring Spoken Word performances from last year’s 12 finalists. These videos highlight the creativity and passion of students across Wake County and serve as an exciting lead-in to this year’s event.
LITERARY CONTEST 2025-2026
2025-2026 Spoken Word Contest Winners
1st place winner Sophie Brinton
2nd place winner Selina Santosa Harjo
3rd Place Winner Shia Raine Edwards
Dasan Ahanu, on the right, with the top 12 finalists
LAST YEAR’S WINNERS
2024-2025 Spoken Word Contest Winners
1st place winner Josephine Geolas
2nd place winner Kenna Zhang
3rd Place Winner Talia Favatella
Dasan Ahanu, at left, with the top 12 finalists