Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Scholarship Contest

OPEN TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS ONLY! DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION AND SPEECH: DECEMBER 20, 2022. For questions, contact Oratorical Chairman Mr. Kenneth Bentley – 407-322-2509 or 321-262-5075, or email indo@mlksanford.org.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship fund is to honor Dr. King’s accomplishments as well as encourage our youth, through education and experience, to continue to strive to become productive citizens and give back to their communities through seeking higher education beyond high school. We are encouraging Seminole County high school seniors who plan to attend a college or university to compete in an Oratorical Contest to receive scholarship funds.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee will offer a scholarship to the first, second and third place winners. If one of these winners attend Seminole State College, they will be awarded a $3,000 scholarship. If the first, second, or third place winner does not want to attend Seminole State College this scholarship will be offered to the next contestant.

REQUIREMENTS

• Candidate must be a high school senior planning to attend a college or university after graduation;
• Candidate must currently have a 2.5 overall GPA earned in high school;
• Candidate must submit a copy of his/her speech along with a completed application by December 20, 2022.

ORATORICAL CONTEST TOPICS – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Create a speech that will allow you to apply one of Dr. King’s quotes to a challenge our country is currently facing. (Choose One Quote)

• Compare the Past and Future of the Women’s Rights Movement.
• “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” (Dr. MLK Jr. quote)
• “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.” (Dr. MLK Jr. quote)
• "It is not possible to be in favor of justice for some people and not be in favor of justice for all people." (Dr. MLK Jr. quote)

GUIDELINES

• Candidates must write an original speech (oral presentation of between 4 – 6 minutes) and present a copy along with their application. Be sure to keep a copy for yourself.
• Candidate must perform an oral presentation (memorization of speech) without any notes on one of the contest topics.
• Candidate will be judged on content, originality, and presentation. Oration must be performed on contest topics.

We encourage all candidates and parents/sponsors to attend our Annual Commemorative Banquet. There is always a dynamic speaker, and a buffet dinner will be served. All candidates will be provided two tickets, one for the student and one for a parent, to the banquet. Any additional tickets must be purchased. All candidates will be given award certificates at the banquet.

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS

• Scholarship funds will be given to candidates after they have received their fall semester class schedules from their college. Scholarship winners and a parent must sign a Release of Funds document verifying the student’s enrollment status, scholarship amount, and intention to use the funds to defray college expenses.
• It is the responsibility of the candidate to provide any change of address or new phone number to the scholarship contact person.

DISCLAIMER: Scholarship funds must be claimed by the end of the student’s first academic year in college following graduation. Otherwise, the funds will be forfeited.