Oratorical Contest & Scholarship Fund

Sponsored by:

The City of Sanford Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee, Inc.

In Partnership with Seminole State College

Deadline to submit application and speech: January 9, 2026.

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 by 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 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.

VIRTUAL SPEAKING COACH

A Public Speaking Coach will be accessible to all applicants who submit an Oratorical Application. The coach will offer tips on the mechanics of effective speaking and provide constructive feedback that applicants may use to improve their speech. Participation in a virtual coaching session is optional, but strongly recommended. Two separate coaching sessions will be conducted via Zoom on the following dates (see below).

Applicants who plan to take advantage of a virtual coaching session should have their speech prepared and be willing to read or recite it aloud (the speech should be memorized for the competition). Coaches will only provide feedback and suggestions for improvement. Coaches cannot assist in speech writing or rewriting.

Virtual Coaching Zoom Dates

1. Monday, December 22, 2025; 11am-1pm

2. Sunday, January 11, 2026; 3pm-5pm

Interested applicants should email barbaraann612@gmail.com to secure a spot and for Zoom information. Please use MLK Speech Review for the email subject.

Contact: Oratorical Chairman Mr. Kenneth Bentley –  321-262-5075

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 9, 2026.

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

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)

1. “Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”

2. “We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope."

3. “Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve.”

4. “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.”

Click here to read the guidelines.