Students in grades 5-8 at Elevated Excellence Academy participated in the inaugural Martin Luther King Jr. speech competition, sponsored by the Charles H. Dater Foundation. Students were asked to use Dr. King’s speeches as inspiration to create an original speech on a current issue that they feel passionately about. First place winner Raviaer Allen made a compelling speech on how the words of Dr. King have been personally inspirational to him.
“Growing up and still to this day, I get bullied for my skin color but one quote that MLK said that really meant something to me is, ‘in the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.’”
–Raviaer Allen, Grade 8
Raviaer took home the $200 grand prize and had his speech aired twice on WVXU for Martin Luther King Day. Here is a recording of his speech in case you missed it!
Congratulations 2nd place winner, 6th grader Shamariante Smith and 3rd place winner Ryden Davis.
Democracy and Me would like to send a special thank you to Middle School Teacher, Mrs. Aviguyil Yisrael-Iron and Principal Michelle Simpson, and all of the teachers and students at Elevated Excellence for helping to make this competition possible.
“This was such an amazing opportunity for our students, and we are honored to have been chosen to participate.”
—Mrs. Aviguyil Yisrael-Irons, Middle School Teacher
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