Houston Independent School District top 12 student finalists will showcase their public speaking skills at the final round of the 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory competition. Fourth and fifth grade students will present their composed 3-to-5-minute speeches addressing this year’s topic “What would Dr. King say to us today about hope for tomorrow?”

The 2021-2022 finalists are

Camila Alfaro, Sutton Elementary

Masyn Mourning, Burrus Elementary

Arianna Guillory, Blackshear Elementary

Joy Nsude, Valley West Elementary

Keinner De Leon, Crespo Elementary

Ellis Britton, Briarmeadow Elementary

Xavier Holmes, Jr. Windsor Village Elementary

Kowin McCormick, Pleasantville Elementary

Zaria Jones, Thompson Elementary

Marquise Ambers, Cornelius Elementary

Kandence Smith, Law Elementary

Journey Sensley, Young Elemenary

This year’s judging criteria will include delivery, stage presence, decorum, content interpretation, and memorization. The winner will receive $1,000 while the runner-up will receive $500, and a $300 prize will be awarded for the third-place winner. All other finalists will each receive $100.

Foley’s Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition is held each year in conjunction with Martin Luther King Jr. Day to encourage people to remember and pay tribute to the late civil rights leader’s legacy. Foley established the event in 1993 to inspire students to learn more about Dr. King and help cultivate elementary school students’ writing and speaking skills.

HISD Superintendent Millard House II, Foley & Lardner LLP Chief Administrative Officer Claude Treece, HISD students and educators

Friday, Jan. 13

10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Christ, 500 Clay St., 77002