Dallas ISD’s 33rd Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition has its winner: J.P. Starks Math, Science, and Technology Vanguard fourth-grader Deon H.
The competition took place on Jan. 17 at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. According to DISD, it is held in partnership with Foley & Lardner LLP each year to celebrate cultural diversity and the talent of DISD students while they learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.
The theme for this year’s competition was “What would Dr. King tell us about our responsibility as citizens and leaders in America today?”
Photo courtesy of Dallas ISD.
To take part in the competition, DISD fourth- and fifth-graders must deliver a 3-to-5 minute speech related to the theme that incorporates ideals from MLK Jr. The contest begins with in-school competitions, which lead to the semi-finals, from which students are selected to advance to the final competition. According to DISD, the students are judged on delivery, presence and decorum, content, interpretation and memorization.
A total of eight students made it to the final competition this year. Fourth-grader Sidiba D. of Solar Preparatory for Girls received second place, while third place went to fifth-grader Danielle A. of Clara Oliver Elementary School.
The rest of the 2025 MLK Jr. Oratory Competition finalists are:
- Sullivan P., fourth grade: Adelle Turner Elementary School
- Jaxon W., fourth grade: Charles Rice Learning Center
- Ivan S., fifth grade: Arturo Salazar Elementary School
- Khalyn T., fifth grade: Eddie Bernice Johnson STEM Academy
- Zayden V, fifth grade: Frederick Douglass Elementary School
