The Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will host its 26th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Youth Oratorical Contest on Monday, January 18 at 11 a.m. at the Hylton Memorial Chapel, 14640 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge.
Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park students will participate in the contest and sing in the Martin Luther King Community Choir under the direction of Ivory Lawrence Coleman.
This free event is one of the oldest and largest celebrations of Dr. King’s legacy in the Washington metro area. At last year’s, 25th anniversary event, almost 2000 people were in attendance to witness the inspiring performances of area middle and high school students.
Congressman Gerald Connolly remarked on the 2015 program in a January 30 Washington Post editorial, “After months of preparation and research, the six young men and women brought down the house with their words and oratorical skills.”
In addition to listening to some amazing speeches and cheering on this year’s contestants and community choir, attendees can participate in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service by donating non-perishable food items, winter coats and children’s books for Prince William County community service organizations.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Oratorical Contest and Celebration is sponsored by the Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the Delta Educational and Public Service Foundation. Co-Chairs Sheila Bryant and Sandra Mitchell lead the sorority’s efforts. “This year’s theme, Imagine: What If…? is our effort to encourage deep, meaningful thinking among the youth in our community and honor Dr. King and his legacy,” said Bryant.
“It is our hope in planning this program that the students will imagine what could be: a better world, a better community; or they may explore some creative questions, like what if Dr. King were alive today?” “Or what if we could change the trajectory of the issues that confront us today –terrorism, greed, climate change, cyber-bullying or other issues?” added Mitchell.
This event is also supported by the Cecil and Irene Hylton Foundation, the school districts and education foundations of Manassas City Public Schools, Manassas Park City Public Schools, and Prince William County Public Schools and many churches and private donors. For more information, visit www.pwcacdst.org.
