Annual speech competition celebrates the remarkable legacy of the late civil rights leader
Fourth- and fifth-grade students from Dallas, Houston, and Chicago reimagined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s call for hope today at Foley & Lardner LLP’s annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competitions. Twenty-five students shared original speeches responding to the question: “As a student of Dr. King’s life, what message of hope do you think he would have for the world today?”
Each year, participants deliver passionate three- to five-minute speeches that demonstrate their understanding of Dr. King’s principles while showcasing their writing and public speaking skills. Competitors advance through preliminary and semifinal rounds and are evaluated on their delivery, stage presence and decorum, content interpretation, and memorization.
“Dr. King’s vision continues to inspire new generations, and more than ever, messages of hope and belief in the future are critical in our communities. This event provides a meaningful platform for students to bring that message to life,” said Daljit Doogal, Foley Chairman and CEO. “For over 30 years, the Foley MLK Jr. Oratory Competition has been a cherished way for the firm to showcase its commitment to citizenship while amplifying Dr. King’s legacy and the voices of these incredible students.”
Winners included Blen Teklu from Preston Hollow Elementary in Dallas, Otis Marks III from Windsor Village Elementary in Houston, and Alanna Atwood from Wendell Smith Elementary in Chicago.
Dallas student delivers powerful reminder: “The world can still be better — because of YOU”
Fourth-grader Blen Teklu delivered an uplifting speech, reminding the audience that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy is rooted in choosing “love over hate, peace over violence, and hope over fear.” Blen shared that if Dr. King were here today, he would encourage us to keep going and keep loving, that “change is possible” even though unfairness and division still exist. Highlighting Dr. King’s commitment to nonviolence and everyday leadership, she noted that young people can help carry the dream forward through kindness and courage. She closed with an original poem and a clear call to action to not just look for the good, but to be the good: “Don’t lose hope…The world can still be better — because of you.”
Cameron Kinder, a fourth-grade student from Clara Oliver Elementary, earned second place in the 34th annual Dallas competition, and fifth-grader Kennedy King, a student at Solar Preparatory School for Girls, was awarded third place.
Houston student honors grandmother’s civil rights courage, urges community to carry the torch toward Dr. King’s dream
Otis Marks III, a fifth-grade student, earned first place with a personal speech honoring his late grandmother Marie Marks, whose courage during the civil rights movement inspired his own commitment to Dr. King’s message of hope and equality. Motivated by her legacy, Otis shared with the audience that if Dr. King were alive today, he would challenge the next generation, calling for a world “where equality is not just spoken, but lived every day,” where there are “no labels that divide us,” and where people come together at “the table of brotherhood.” He encouraged his peers and community to take action, reminding them that “dreams don’t just build themselves,” and closed with an uplifting call for unity and justice: “Carry this torch with me…carry it until flames light up every corner of injustice, and let us walk side-by-side and step-by-step toward the world Dr. King knew was possible.”
Stormii Olezene, a fourth-grade student from Blackshear Elementary, and Juelz Phipps, a fifth-grader from Bonham Elementary, tied for second place in the 30th annual Houston competition. Fifth-grader Ailani Briceno from Crespo Elementary was awarded third place.
Chicago student calls on community: “Change always starts with us”
Fifth-grader Alanna Atwood delivered a moving speech connecting Dr. King’s legacy to the work she believes is still needed today. Alanna emphasized the transformative influence of the late civil rights leader’s teachings, noting their foundation in “dedication, drive, positivity, and most importantly, hope.” She went on further, stating that “the freedom we have today is the freedom Dr. King fought for, not so we could be mean, not so we could disrespect one another, but so we could live together with dignity and love.” Alanna encouraged her peers to use “the power of our words…to heal, to help and to unite,” ending with a reminder that progress is possible because “change always starts with us.”
Kaiden Phelps, a fifth-grade student from Arthur L. Dixon Elementary, earned second place in the seventh annual Chicago competition, and fourth-grader Anjolaoluwa Ekemode, a student at Joseph Warren Elementary placed third in the competition.
Foley’s annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition was established in Dallas in 1993, leading to the creation of the Houston competition in 1997 and the Chicago competition in 2020. More than 260 students participated in this year’s competitions across all three cities.
To learn more about Foley’s annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition, click here.
Winning Speeches
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