The oratorical legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lives on in the young voices of student orators who will present at the 39th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Youth Oratorical Program to be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 15, 2024. This year’s event will take place at Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, 13833 Dumfries Road, Manassas.
The free community event, sponsored by the Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (PWCAC-DST), is open to the public. The oratorical competition is open to students in grades 6-12 from Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) and other area schools. The competition gives students the opportunity to first write and then present an oration in celebration of the life and accomplishments of Dr. King. Children of all ages will also celebrate and support the event through song as participants of the Martin Luther King Community Choir. The snow date is Sunday, January 21.
Congratulations to these PWCS students who were chosen at regional competitions to present before the audience at the MLK Program. One additional student at both the middle and high school levels was chosen to receive the Judge's Choice/Honorable Mention Award and will be announced at the event.
Middle School
- Ashley Gutierrez Garcia, seventh grade, Graham Park Middle School
- Rabab Raza, eighth grade, Rippon Middle School
- Ebenezer Samuel, eighth grade, Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle School
High School
- Alyssa Godfrey, ninth grade, Charles J. Colgan Sr, High School
- Brooklynn Saunders, 12th grade, Gar-Field High School
As part of its MLK celebration, the PWCAC-DST has also planned:
- A STEAM speaker series on February 17 at Forest Park High School
- A wellness 5K walk/run on April 6 at Prince William Forest Park (Pine Grove Trail)
- A culminating celebration on April 28 at Gainesville High School in remembrance of the life of Dr. King and to recap the activities of the PWCAC DST MLK.
Find additional information on the PWCAC DST website.