MLK Oratorical Program winners

PWCS students demonstrated their talents at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Oratorical Program on January 19. Sponsored by the Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (PWCAC-DST), the event—now in its 41st year—featured powerful student speeches as a central part of the celebration.

Under the guidance of their coaches, many of whom are teachers, students begin preparing their speeches early in the school year, refining their delivery and working to reflect Dr. King’s legendary oratorical style.

Students represented their school in a regional competition and presented their speeches to a panel of judges in advance of the program. The finalists were previously announced. Community and family members attended the program, and a panel of judges selected the winning orators.

Congratulations to the following PWCS student presenters who received awards at the 2026 MLK Oratorical Program:

  • Beulah Sarsah, senior at C.D. Hylton High School, won the “Best Before the Audience” award.
  • Danielle Odom, seventh grader at Rippon Middle School, won the “Best Before the Judges” award.
  • Beulah Sarsah, senior at C.D. Hylton High School, won the “Best Before the Judges” award.
  • Qaveem Ahmad, seventh grader at Saunders Middle School, won the “Judges Choice” award.
  • Arwa Zinddine, senior at Gar-Field High School, won the “Judges Choice” award.


Visit the PWCAC DST website to learn more about this program.