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.
Oratorical Contest & Scholarship Event at a Glance
Event Date: Friday, January 15, 2027 @ 6:00 p.m.
Seminole State College
100 Weldon Blvd., Room C-108, Sanford, Florida 32773
Deadline to submit application and speech: January 8, 2027
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 attends 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.
Scholarships will be awarded to first, second, and third place winners in the names below and by Seminole State College.
Joy Eva Lawson Williams (deceased) former MLK Scholarship Committee Chairperson
Former Sanford Mayor Bettye D. Smith (creator – Dr. MLK, Jr. Committee)
Doris Thomas (deceased), former Seminole County Educator
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;
Candidates must submit a copy of his/her speech along with a completed application by January 8, 2027.
ORATORICAL CONTEST TOPICS
Create a speech that will allow you to apply one of Dr. King’s quotes below to a challenge our country is currently facing.
(Choose One Quote)
“Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
“We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope.”
“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve.”
“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.”
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.
Candidates must perform an oral presentation (memorization of speech) without any notes on one of the contest topics.
Candidates will be judged on content, originality, and presentation. Oration must be performed on contest topics.
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.
COMMEMORATIVE BANQUET
Saturday, January 16, 2027 @ 6:00 p.m.
Sanford Civic Center
401 E. Seminole Boulevard, Sanford, Florida 32771
We encourage all candidates and parents or guardians to attend our Annual Commemorative Banquet. There is always a dynamic speaker, and a buffet dinner will be served.
First, Second, and Third Place winners will receive two complimentary tickets to the Banquet, one for the student and one for a parent or guardian.
The Seminole State College Scholarship winner will also receive two complimentary tickets to the Banquet, one for the student and one for a parent or guardian. Both guests will be seated at the Seminole State College Banquet Table.
Any additional tickets must be purchased.
Sponsored by: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee, in partnership with Seminole State College
Contact: Oratorical Chairman Mr. Kenneth Bentley – 321-262-5075
Support MLK Sanford
Help support four days of scholarship, worship, fellowship, public celebration, and community participation.
Make the festival part of your MLK weekend.
The Festival in the Park follows the Annual MLK Parade, making it easy to continue the day together after the parade ends.
Bring your family and friends, explore the vendors, enjoy the entertainment, and spend the afternoon connecting with the Sanford community.