The Office of Human Relations (OHR) and Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) together will host students in grades kindergarten through 12 for the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statewide Oratorical Contest. The citywide contest will be held February 23, 2023 at the Mary A. Ronan Education Center (2651 Burnet Avenue) for students to recite their memorized essay in front of a panel of judges. Students interested in participating must submit a speech by February 15, 2023.

This year’s contest, “Bridging the Divide: Daring to Dream Again,” asks contestants to reflect on where society would be without Dr. King, and to provide solutions for moving forward. The contest will be held in four divisions: Primary (grades K-2), Intermediate (grades 3-5), Junior (Grades 6-8) and Senior (grades 9-12). 

“The Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for Dr. King among students. Since its inception, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s plight for civil rights, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship,” stated Paul M. Booth, Division Manager, OHR.

The contest provides students an opportunity to gain confidence in their speaking and presentation skills, while enhancing skills in language arts. Participants will be judged on delivery (poise, self-confidence and audience appeal), vocal delivery (audibility, articulation, inflection of voice), creativity, physical (gestures and engagement) and presentation style. Students will meet State Common Core requirements in Language Arts as they prepare for the contest. Students in grades 4-5 will learn how to summarize information, students in grades 6-10 will learn how to give an objective summary and students in grades 11-12 will learn how to provide an abbreviated version of the most significant points of a text. 

“The Oratorical Contest provides an opportunity for our students to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy and model his principles through their own words and actions. Students will be challenged to think critically and creatively to write and perform their speech, and it is our hope that students are empowered by their voices to further Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolent social change in today’s world while building their confidence and becoming a voice in their communities. It is my pleasure and honor to support them in this process,” Lanisha Simmons, Cincinnati Public Schools English Language Arts Curriculum Manager, said.

The top three winners in each division will go on to compete in the State Oratorical Contest in Columbus this spring. Selected Statewide winners will be invited to participate in the annual Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration in January 2024.