Students compete in MLK speech competition

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was famous, among other things, for his oratorical skills. His powerful, eloquent speeches live on long after the man himself is gone. The Austin Area Heritage Council, in collaboration with Google Fiber, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and Child, Inc., issued an invitation to area schools to participate in an oratory competition commemorating Dr. King’s ideals and principles. Six schools answered the challenge: Blackshear Elementary Fine Arts Academy, Lee Lewis Campbell Elementary Media & Performing Arts Institute, Maplewood Elementary School, Barbara Jordan Early College Prep, Volma Overton Early College Prep and Texas Preparatory School. On Thursday, Jan. 16, the young finalists in the 15th Annual MLK Oratory Competition will each deliver a five-minute speech based on the theme, “If Dr. King were alive, what would you discuss with him in creating change in America which would halt the evils of racism, hatred, inequality, and social injustice happening to the people in our country today and how would you do it?” 6:30 p.m., George Washington Carver Museum’s Boyd Vance Theatre, 1165 Angelina St.