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     When Algeron Johnson, a fifth grade student at Bethune-Bowman Elementary School, took the stage during the final round of the second annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratory Competition, he made an immediate connection with the audience. What followed was a breathtaking message during which Johnson spoke passionately about his vision of what Dr. King might say if he could speak today.

     In describing his vision, Johnson said he believes Dr. King would tell us, “I have learned how to be content, but never satisfied! You see, I’ve had to eat peas and rice one day and rice and peas the next day, but I knew there was MORE and a BETTER world out there for me.” Johnson believes that Dr. King would instruct us, “We must continue to press on until justice prevails everywhere, and even if justice does not prevail, we cannot burn our homes and buildings down in the name of retaliation. The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are so few. We can’t give up now. I believe if we press on we will see what the end is going to be.” Johnson continued on behalf of Dr. King, “I have learned much in my walk of life. I’ve learned that I must kneel before God so that I can stand before man. God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies those who are called.” Johnson pointed out that while Dr. King would acknowledge that progress has been made, he also believes Dr. King would conclude that there is still work for us to do. The full text of Johnson’s speech (and the speeches of the other participating students) can be accessed by clicking here.

     The final round of the second annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratory Competition was held on the evening of January 29, 2015 at New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Orangeburg. The MLK Oratory Competition began several months ago with preliminary competitions being conducted in each of the eight elementary schools in Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five (OCSD5). The preliminary competitions determined the school champions who would move on to compete as finalists in the districtwide competition. The competition was open to fourth and fifth grade students who were required to write and present an original speech of up to five minutes on the topic: “If Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. could speak today…”. The names of the students who qualified to participate in the final round of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratory Competition, along with the schools they attend, were:

·       Algeron Johnson, Bethune-Bowman Elementary School – 1^st Place

·       Matthew Frederick, Whittaker Elementary School – 2^nd Place

·       Alonna Jamison, Brookdale Elementary School – 3^rd Place

·       Arthur Browne, Mellichamp Elementary School – Finalist

·       Rebecca Durant, Dover Elementary School – Finalist

·       Lashondra Johnson, Rivelon Elementary School – Finalist

·       Naseyerra Smith, Sheridan Elementary School – Finalist

·       Jasmine Williams, Marshal Elementary School – Finalist

While the finals of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory Competition provided great inspiration and entertainment for the assembled audience, its primary purpose was to provide students with an engaging approach to improving their skills in historical research, reading, writing, and public speaking in fourth and fifth grade classrooms across the district.

Six community leaders served as judges for the competition including: Dede Cook, President of the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce; Gene Crider, Managing Editor of the Times and Democrat; Dr. Frederick M.G. Evans, Dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies at South Carolina State University; Dr. Maurice Lee, Pharmacist with Walgreen’s; Dr. Johnny Murdaugh, Director of Career and Technology Education for Richland County School District One; and Anyjuan Seawright, Senior Advisor to the South Carolina Senate Democratic Caucus.

Jimmy Jones Toyota of Orangeburg was the sponsor for the event. Thanks to the generous support of our sponsor, all of the final round participants received trophies and certificates recognizing their accomplishment and were treated to a special lunch. In addition, the top three places received the following prizes: 1^st Place – Surface Tablet with keyboard plus $100 scholarship provided by Mr. Jamie Harrison, 2^nd Place – iPad Mini, 3^rd Place – iPod Touch. Following the conclusion of the MLK Oratory Competition, Jones said, “I thought the event was outstanding. The kids were amazing in every aspect you could imagine. I thought the passion that each student displayed was unbelievable. I’m not sure what I was expecting but they surely exceeded any expectations that I had. I was very happy to be a part of this program and will be looking forward to it again next year.”