Ohio students inspired by the lessons and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. presented original speeches on his teachings during the 16th Annual Statewide MLK Oratorical Contest held last week in Columbus.
Twenty-two regional contest winners from grades kindergarten through 12 spoke before family, friends and judges at the King Arts Complex. Speakers were judged on performance, originality and composition.
The following speakers placed first, second and third in their respective divisions:
Senior Division (grades nine through 12) First place – Holly Warthem, 15, 10th-grader, Lima Senior High School, Lima; second place – Teccorra Bracy, 17, 11th-grader, Harding High School, Marion; third place – Ayobami Balogun, 16, 11th-grader, Eastmoor Academy High School, Columbus.
Junior Division (grades six through eight) First place – Bre’Anna Walker, 13, seventh-grader, Columbus City Preparatory School for Girls, Columbus; second place – Morayo Obayemi, 14, eighth-grader, Columbus City Preparatory School for Girls, Columbus; third place – Cydney Platt, 11, sixth-grader, Columbus Academy, Columbus.
Intermediate Division (grades three through five) First place – Marlin Yarborough, 10, fifth-grader, Mansion Day School, Columbus; second place – Mia Kraus, 10, fifth-grader, Clinton Elementary School, Columbus; third place – Alyssa Warthem, 10, fourth-grader, Heir Force Community School, Lima.
Primary Division (grades kindergarten through two) First place – Ezell Matchett, 7, second-grader, Heir Force Community School, Lima; second place – Nathan Edwards, 7, second-grader, Emmanuel Christian Academy, Akron; third place – Elena Earley, 7, first-grader, Clinton Elementary School, Columbus.
First-place finishers are invited to speak at the 2016 Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration on Jan. 14 in downtown Columbus. The celebration and oratorical contest are sponsored by the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission. The commission is housed in the Equal Opportunity Division of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services.
“Just like Dr. King, these young people showed courage and determination. The way they hopped on stage showed they are the leaders of their generation,” said the Rev. Joel L. King, Jr., vice chair of the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission.