SOUTH BAY — Approximately 36 students participated in Rosenwald Elementary School's 39th Annual MLK Oratorical Contest.  Mistress of Ceremony was  Vanessa Bethel, teacher. Master of Ceremony was Principal Bruce Hightower. 

The school was honored to have the program live-streamed with a dazzling performance by The Diamond Dancers.

The City of South Bay, Dr. Esther Berry and Rosenwald Elementary School are sponsors who continue to honor Dr. King and his legacy. The theme for this year’s contest was “Living the Dream: It Starts with Me – Spreading Hope, Courage and Unity”.

The winners for K-2. Front row from left to right are Leila Camel, Kimora Shakur, and Amor Miller. Back row, from left to right, are RES Resource …

Topic for speech grades K-2: What do you think Dr. King would say about being kind to the trees, plants and all living things that make up our world?

K-2 Winners
• First Place: Leila Camel, grade K, Rosenwald Elementary
• Second Place: Kimora Shakur, grade 2, Rosenwald Elementary
• Third Place: Amor Miller, grade 1, Gladeview Elementary

The winners for grades 3-5. Front row from left to right are Layla Rodriguez, Arabella Manuel, and King Green. Back row, from left to right, are RES …

Topic for speech grades 3-5: How do you see hope for youth in contributing to a positive and healthy community? What does this look like to you?

3-5 Winners
• First Place: King Green, grade 4, Rosenwald Elementary
• Second Place: Layla Rodriguez, grade 3, Pioneer Park Elementary
• Third Place: Arabella Manuel, grade 3, Glades Day School

The winners for grades 6-8. From left to right are Resource Teacher Shamekia Camel, RES Assistant Principal Sonya Green, Ky’Drick Turner, Caleb …

Topic for speech grades 6-8: Explain in your own words, what this quote “We must accept disappointment, but never lose infinite hope” means to you.

6-8 Winners
• First Place: Jaiden Patrick, grade 6, Gove Elementary
• Second Place: Caleb Vickers, grade 7, Lake Shore Middle
• Third Place: Ky’Drick Turner, grade 6, Lake Shore Middle

The winners for grades 9-12. From left to right are Persia Green, RES Resource Teacher Shamekia Camel, Jada Lovely, RES Assistant Principal Sonya …

Topic for speech grades 9-12: Think of all the social networking sites today, i.e. Facebook, YouTube, Tik Tok, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, etc., if Dr. King was here today and wanted to convey his messages about social injustices, what platform do you think he would use and why?

9-12 Winners
• First Place: Persia Green, grade 9, Glades Central Community High
• Second Place: Precious Vickers, grade 9, Glades Central Community High
• Third Place: Jada Lovely, grade 12, Glades Central Community High

A special thanks to the judges: Dr. Esther Berry, Vernell Bolden, Benita Hamilton, Antonita Ifill, Jackie Radcliff, and Sharon Singleton; Mr. Lester Finney, participants, parents, Rosenwald Elementary School and City of South Bay faculty/staff, and to everyone who made this extraordinary event possible.