MLK ORATORY SAVE THE DATE: FEBRUARY 8, 2024 WITH SNOW MAKEUP DAY OF FEBRUARY 9, 2024

More 2024 Information coming soon.

The Clear Creek Amana Community School District MLK Jr. Oratory Competition was held February 10, 2023. Students in grades 3-5 had been busy writing, reflecting, and practicing their speeches in front of family, teachers and peers. Students were asked to memorize and recite an excerpt from Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech followed by their speech starting with...I have a hope that... Each building held a building level competition where the finalists were chosen to advance on to compete in today's competition. 

All 29 student participants from all the elementary buildings did a fantastic job and wrote thought-provoking speeches. The overall third grade winner was Deeksha Sekhar from North Bend Elementary, the overall fourth grade winner was Jadzia Connorridge from Clear Creek Elementary, and the overall fifth grade winner and district-wide winner was Sofia Parker from Oak Hill Elementary. 

Thank you to the judges and emcee for their time and expertise:

Judges: 

• LaNisha Cassell, Executive Director of the African American Museum of Iowa
• Grace King, K-12 Education Reporter for the Gazette
• Christine Berlin, CCA High School Teacher Librarian, Head Speech Coach, PLUS Sponsor
• Gant Elsbernd, CCA Middle School Counselor, Assistant Speech Coach

Emcee: Jon Weih, Director, Kirkwood Regional Center at the University of Iowa

The competition recording is available at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIoSA1v9n6Q