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Martin Luther King, Black History Oratory Contests Open to High School Students


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WJZ-TV, CBS Baltimore is holding a Black history oratory contest for high school students

High school students are asked to choose one of the three quotes below and write an essay (500 words or less) describing what it means to them. The quotes are:

  • “Whatever you want to do, if you want to be great at it, you have to love it and be able to make sacrifices for it.”—Maya Angelou
  • “The tragedy of life is not found in failure but complacency. Not in you doing too much, but in doing too little. Not in living above your means, but below your capacity. It’s not failure but aiming too low, that’s life’s greatest tragedy.”—Benjamin E. Mays
  • “Have a vision. Be demanding.”—Colin Powell

Twenty semifinalists will be invited to record themselves performing their original speeches on video and submit their video to WJZ for judging. Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25.

More Information, WJZ Black History Oratory Competition

WJZ Black History Oratory Competition Application