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PWCS student orators dazzle spectators at MLK Day community celebration

With passion, poise, and presence, six finalists in the 25th Annual Youth Oratorical Contest wowed the audience of 2,300 in the Hylton Memorial Chapel on MLK Day. Barely had students ended their speeches when the audience rose to give standing ovations. Interrupted countless times with resounding applause, the students delivered their interpretation of the program theme, “The high road of peace and brotherhood.” The theme was based on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s eulogy for the four girls killed in the 16th Street Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama on September 15, 1963.

Congratulations and thanks to the teachers, coaches and coordinators for their efforts and additional hours spent helping all participants shine. In the words of School Board Member Lillie Jessie (Occoquan), who was one of the founders of the Youth Oratorical Contest, “The speakers were phenomenal!”

Middle school winner Zoree Jones from Ronald Reagan Middle School called on everyone to put words into action. “It isn’t enough to believe in peace; one must work for it,” she said.

Stonewall Jackson High School’s Norman Jones was the high school winner. “Nothing is more dangerous than sheer ignorance,” he said, quoting Dr. King.

Both students were named best before the judges at the regional competition and best before the judges at the King Day event.

Winners of an essay contest held in conjunction with the oratorical contest were Pershia Woodcox, fourth-grader at Henderson Elementary, and Hillarie Adams, fifth-grader at Mountain View Elementary School. Honorable Mention awards went to Richard McCoy Copeland III, River Oaks Elementary School fourth-grader, and Grace Ryan, a fifth-grade student at Mountain View Elementary School.

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