Winners Named At Statewide MLK Oratorical Contest

News Release

Ohio Department of Administrative Services
Ted Strickland, Governor

Hugh Quill, Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2007

Media contact: Molly O'Reilly
(614) 752-9521

Winners named at statewide MLK
oratorical contest
Columbus — Students inspired by the legacy and lessons of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. presented original speeches on his teachings during the Eighth Annual Statewide MLK Oratorical Contest today in Columbus. About 30 contestants from grades kindergarten through 12 spoke before family and friends at the King Arts Complex.
Speakers were judged on performance, originality and composition. The following speakers placed first, second and third in their respective divisions:

Senior Division (grades nine through 12) First place – Destin Tevis, Focus on Collective Integrity Academy, Columbus; second place – Brittinie Jermon, Bedford High School, Cleveland; third place – Brandon Towns, Eastmoor Academy, Columbus.

Junior Division (grades six through eight) First place – Lazette Carter, Ferguson Junior High School, Beavercreek; second place – Akeem Rashad Malik Denny, Dominion Middle School, Columbus; third place – Davonte Dukes, Sherwood Middle School, Columbus.

Intermediate Division (grades four through five) First place – Sarah Wilkes, Salem Elementary School, Columbus; second place – Tyler Wynne, Lowden Elementary School, South Euclid; third place – Sam Grant-Williams, Indian Springs Elementary School, Columbus.

Primary Division (grades one through three) First place – Amir Idris, Lowden Elementary School, South Euclid; second place – David Cordell Gary, Liberty Christian Academy, Columbus; third place – Theresa Clark, Crissey Elementary School, Holland, Ohio.

Kindergarten Division – First place – Natapong “Mac” Kanema, McGregor Elementary School, Sylvania; second place – Amira Al Amin, Glendale Primary School, Oakwood Village.

James M. Stowe, chair of Ohio’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission, served as the master of ceremonies. He said, “In light of the recent tragic series of events that occurred at Virginia Tech University, what a contrast it was today to witness young people from across the state challenging all of us to deny violence and uplift the tenets of peace, unity and well-being for all people. I was pleased to have been part of this wonderful occasion. We salute all the young people who competed, those who were chosen winners, their parents, coaches, teachers and well-wishers for being a part of this special event. Dr. King would have been proud.”

First-place finishers are invited to speak at the 2008 Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration on Jan. 17. The celebration and speech contest are sponsored by the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission. The commission receives support from the Ohio Department of Administrative Services.

[ Administrative Support | Communications | Employee Services ]
[ Finance | Legal Counsel | Legislative Affairs | IT Services ]

Site Map | Search | DAS Home Page | State Home Page | Contact DAS