PWCS student talent was on display at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Youth Oratorical Program, held on January 15, at Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School. The Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (PWCAC-DST) sponsored the event. Student speeches are one component of the celebration, now in its 39th year.

Students study with a coach, often a teacher, and begin early in the year preparing and practicing their speeches in anticipation of presenting in the tradition of the acclaimed oratorical skills of Dr. King. Students from school and regional programs presented their speeches to a panel of judges in advance of the program and were previously announced as finalists. Judges and community members then attend the event on the MLK Day holiday and select their favorite orators.

Congratulations to the following PWCS student presenters who received awards at the 2024 MLK Oratorical Program:

• Rabab Raza, eighth grade, Rippon Middle School, won first prize at the middle school level and received the Best Before the Audience award. Rabab was also awarded the Joseph Bagnerise Drum Major award
• Ebenezer Samuel, eighth grade, Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle School, received the Best Before the Judges’ Middle School award (recognition for regional presentation)

Visit the PWCAC DST website to learn more about this program