The Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission is committed to educating children about Dr. King's legacy of brotherhood among all people. Ohio MLK Holiday Commissioner Mildred Clark founded an oratorical contest in her hometown of Toledo 24 years ago to recognize Dr. King and involve children in that city's annual MLK celebration. In 1998, the first-place winners from Toledo spoke at the annual state Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration in Columbus, and in 1999, the state Holiday Commission adopted the program.

The 2008 statewide oratorical contest was held April 25, 2008 at the King Arts Complex in Columbus. The theme was “The Dream is Alive.” The contest has a total of five divisions: Kindergarten; primary (grades 1-3); intermediate (grades 4-5); junior (grades 6-8); and senior (grades 9-12).

There were again regional contests that sent their first, second and third place presenters to take part in the state competition. This year the regional contests included: Columbus and Toledo. In order to take part in the statewide contest, participants had to first take part in regional contests. However, those students who did not have a regional contest in their area were welcomed as well.

For more information on the statewide oratorical contest, contact Bobbi Bell at the Ohio Department of Administrative Services' Equal Opportunity Division at (614) 466-8380.