On Friday, Jan. 18, fourth- and fifth-grade students at Houston ISD elementary schools will vie for the winning title during the final round of the 23rd Annual Foley Gardere MLK Jr. Oratory Competition. In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, the competition is designed to highlight the cultural diversity of the community while recognizing and encouraging the writing and public speaking skills of elementary school students.
Presented, hosted and sponsored by Foley Gardere, the event invites local students to present original three-to-five minute speeches answering the questions, “What would Dr. King say to the children of today’s world?”
More than 180 students representing 24 Houston ISD schools participated in the in-school qualifying rounds in October, and one student from each school was selected to advance to the semifinal round held in January. Of the 24 semifinalists, 12 have advanced to the final competition. Criteria for judging include delivery, stage presence, content interpretation and memorization.
To watch the winner of the 22nd Annual Foley Gardere MLK Jr. Oratory Competition, see below.
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