Students recite their favorite MLK speeches at oratory competition
Leading into Black History Month, three archdiocesan elementary schools brought their students together for an annual oratory competition in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Students from Notre Dame Academy in Palisades Park, Academy of Our Lady of Grace in Fairview, and Christ the Teacher Academy in Fort Lee gathered on Jan. 25 for the eighth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory Competition. Six student finalists from each school delivered an excerpt of their choice of one of King’s most famous speeches. The oratorical contest provides a forum for students to develop presentation skills, poise, self-confidence, and a positive competitive spirit,” said Notre Dame Academy principal Eric Reid.
Finalists are selected from each school in the weeks leading up to the Jan. 25 competition through a series of school-wide tournaments. According to Reid, the tournaments begin in the students’ social studies classes in late December when students select the excerpts they plan to recite and begin studying them over winter break. In mid-January, each social studies class in grades four through eight hosts a class-wide oratory competition. Three students from each class are chosen to compete in a school-wide bracket, narrowing the finalists to six students across two divisions: three students in the 4-5th grade division and three in the 6th-8th grade division.
“The goal of this event is to instill in our scholars Dr. King’s message of peace, justice, and faith,” said Reid. “This event enables us to come together as communities of faith with our shared values and simultaneously celebrate the legacy of Dr. King and the talents of our scholars. That’s what makes this event so special each year.”
For each division, first, second, and third place plagues are awarded.
For the 4th -5th grade division, 5th grader Joseph from Christ the Teacher Academy won 1st place for the 2nd year in a row in the 4th-5th grade category. Academy of Our Lady of Grace 4th grader Olivia took second place, and Notre Dame Academy 5th grader Layla placed third in the 4th-5th grade division.
In the 6th-8th grade division, Academy of Our Lady of Grace 8th grade student Veronica took first place. Notre Dame Academy students Caycee and Mathieu took second and third place, respectively.
All competitors who reached the final round of the competition received Honorable Mention Certificates. Students invited family members and teachers to attend the competition to cheer them on, and clergy and administrators from all three schools were present to support the students.
“Listening to the students perform Dr. King’s speeches [leading into] Black History month had a powerful impact on the school community,” said Filomena D’Amico, Academy of Our Lady of Grace Principal.
Jessica Miano is a writer for Jersey Catholic covering schools.
