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Columbus City Schools Students Shine at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Oratorical Contest
December 17, 2021 -- Congratulations to Dominion Middle School eighth grader Adonia Balqis, winner for the Junior Division, and Columbus Gifted Academy eighth grader Olivia Cox, who placed third in the Junior Division, in the City of Columbus’ 21st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Oratorical Contest held at the Columbus Police Academy December 11.
Sixteen Columbus City Schools (CCS) students participated in the contest, which is held to honor the oratorical legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and showcase the rhetorical skills of the best and brightest students in central Ohio.
This year, students were invited to write and perform an oration to expand on a selected quote from Dr. King: “How can we put being our brother’s keeper into action? Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Judges selected winners from four divisions: Primary (Grades K-2), Intermediate (Grades 3-5), Junior (Grades 6-8), and Senior (Grades 9-12), with a total of 34 contestants.
As a first place winner, Balqis will be afforded the opportunity to present her oration at various events throughout the City. She is also invited to compete in the statewide MLK Oratorical Contest in April 2022.
Congratulations to Balqis, Cox, and all CCS participants on a job well done!