Dino Parks
We took a moment with two-time Nevada County Poetry Out Loud Champion and student at Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning, Dino Parks. Out of over 77,000 students from across the state that competed at the county level this year, he was one of 49 students selected to represent their communities.
GVNC: Please share a bit about your experience with Poetry Out Loud. Any memorable moments?
Parks: I first did Poetry Out Loud when I was a Sophomore, me and my friend Joselyn—who I wasn’t that close with at the time—both got to go to the County competition and from then on we have been way closer as friends. I’m so glad! I have definitely gained more confidence through it. Performing on stage is always scary no matter how many times I do it, but my confidence in myself gets better every time.”
GVNC: Tell us a bit about yourself and your work as an artist and student.
Parks: I was born in Arizona but moved to Nevada City when I was five. I’ve always been interested in art, my mom is a painter and my dad plays music, so I’ve been surrounded by it my whole life. Like my mom, my main form of artistic expression is painting, likely something I’ll continue throughout life. I do write poetry, it was required at first but then I ended up having a lot of fund writing in class and it spiraled from there.
Here’s a photo of Dino Parks from the State Championships that took place in Sacramento over the weekend, March 16-17, 2025. Standing with him is California Arts Council Chair, Roxanne Messina Captor; California Poet Laureate, Lee Herrick and California Arts Council Executive Director, Danielle Brazell.
GVNC: What’s next for you?
Parks: I’m going to Sierra College for two years to get my pre-reqs done while it’s cheap and then transfer to another college. I hope to continue to live and express myself creatively.
We’re so proud of Dino Parks—and all of the students that participate in Poetry Out Loud at the local and state level—we can’t wait to see where you go in the world!
Listen to an interview with Dino Parks and Cy Musiker on KVMR’s Curtain Call.
This story originally appeared in the March 15th, 2025 edition of the GVNC Culture Connection newsletter.