2019 Black History Oratorical Competition

Oratorical Winners 2019

In celebration of black history, NPSD students in grades three through 12 were recently encouraged to participate in the NPSD Black History Oratorical Competition. The competition was designed to give NPSD public school students an opportunity to shine through public speaking while honoring black history. To enter the contest, students were required to submit a video of themselves reciting a published speech or poem from an African-American or black leader such as Toni Morrison, Michelle Obama, Barack Obama, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jesse Jackson, etc.

NPSD was thrilled to receive 50 student video submissions for the competition. Chaired by NPSD third grade teacher Ms. Cynthia Douglas, a committee of NPSD teachers, staff and administrators have reviewed each of the submissions and selected 20 finalists for the district-wide competition. These selected students presented their speeches at a competition held at Penndale Middle School on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

The final round of the NPSD Black History Oratorical Competition held at Penndale served not only as a chance for students to vie for the title of competition winner, but also provided North Penn students, families and community members the opportunity to celebrate black history through musical performances by students and staff.

Based on criteria including expression/stage presence, delivery and presentation, and overall effectiveness, student finalists were judged by a panel of diverse educators and community members. From the 20 finalists selected to compete in the final round, one student from each level (elementary, middle and high) were be chosen by judges as the winners of the competition.

Congratulations to the winners of NPSD's Inaugural Black History Oratorical Competition! The three competition winners performed at the International Spring Festival held at North Penn High School on Saturday, April 27, 2019. View more photos from the competition.

Elementary Level Winner: Royel Hall, Oak Park Elementary School, Grade 4
Middle School Level Winner: Kairee Glass, Penndale Middle School, Grade 7
High School Level Winner: Dominique Bethel, Pennbrook Middle School, Grade 9

Congratulations to the following 20 semifinalist students who also participated in the competition.

High School Level, Grades 9-12:

  • Dominique Bethel - Pennbrook, Grade 9
  • Vrajesh Dalwadi - NPHS, Grade 10
  • Aliana Vicens - NPHS, Grade 11
  • Shreya Harikrishnan - Pennbrook, Grade 9
  • Sumona Sharma - Penndale, Grade 9
  • Bhaavi Trivedy - Pennbrook, Grade 9

 

Middle School Level, Grades 6-8:

  • Lailani Williams - Gwyn Nor, Grade 6
  • Justin Long Jr. - Kulp, Grade 6
  • LeRoy Hall - Oak Park, Grade 6
  • Jake Bradley - Pennbrook, Grade 7
  • Kairee Glass - Penndale, Grade 7
  • Glen Xavier - Kulp, Grade 6
  • Ava Greiner - Pennfield, Grade 8

 

Elementary Level, Grades 3-5:

  • Jayden Walker - Gwynedd Square, Grade 3
  • Eddie Zhao - Walton Farm, Grade 4
  • Shaurya Yadav - Kulp, Grade 4
  • Khushi Narayanan - Gwyn Nor, Grade 5
  • Jaden Black - Montgomery, Grade 5
  • Summer Kresge - Hatfield, Grade 5
  • Tatyana Pometum - Gywn Nor, Grade 3