Winners Announced In WJZ's Black History Month Oratory Competition
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Hard work paying off. Baltimore area students compete in WJZ's Black History Month Oratory Competition, with one student taking top honors.
Marcus Washington reports.
The power of words spoken by a generation of leaders--all reciting some 500 words by memory in front of a crowded auditorium.
"This didn't just take guts or courage, it took so much more than that," one student said.
WJZ's Black History Month Oratory Competition brings out some of the best and brightest students in the Baltimore area.
"It is important to always visualize your dreams and hope that your vision is coming true," said one student.
Marcus Washington was able to emcee the competition as part of WJZ's continuing community commitment, allowing students to recite orations.
"George Washington Carver was saying where there is no imagination, there can be no expectation for what is next," said one student.
Out of the 17 semi-finalists Sunday, Kimolly Colquhoun took home third place after her teacher's encouragement.
"Because she thought that we would do well. So I did, and here I am," the Joppatown High School 12th grader said.
The words of Theodore Owens brought home a second place win, showing that the struggles of a black woman can motivate a young white male.
"More than just, 'I'm this race and it's my history.' It's, 'This race is part of America and it is incorporated into our country's history as a whole rather than just me or you.' And we need to break down those boundaries," said Owens, South River High School 12th grader.
It was Amani Ross winning top honors, sharing her message that trying something new can result in great things.
"So when I applied for this, I'm like, 'I'm going to try to get third place.' Third place was my safety net. And then they gave it away, and I was like, 'No.' Then I got first place and I was, 'Oh.' It was weird," said Ross, Catonsville High School 11th grader.
Each of the top three winners received a monetary gift along with a scholarship from Toyota Financial Services.
As part of our continuing community commitment, WJZ was once again proud to present the Black History Month Oratory Competition.
