In celebration of Black History Month, North Penn School District (NPSD) students in grades three through 12 recently participated in the NPSD Black History Oratorical Competition that culminated in a final competition round consisting of competitive and celebratory performances at Penndale Middle School.
Congratulations to high school division winner Dominique Bethel on her moving performance of “Still, I Rise” by Maya Angelo. Pennfield Middle School’s Kairee Glass took the middle school division with his strong reading of “The Heart and the Fist” by Rudy Francisco. The elementary division was captured by Royel Hall at Oak Park Elementary School for his portrayal of Muhammed Ali’s speech, “I Am the Greatest.” NPSD would like to congratulate the division winners and also recognize middle school runner-up LeRoy Hall from Penndale Middle School and elementary runner-up Tatyana Pometun from Gwyn-Nor Elementary School.
The competition is 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 dozens of 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 26 finalists for the district-wide competition. These selected students presented their speeches on the evening of Thursday, February 6 at Penndale Middle School on the auditorium stage.
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 finalists selected to compete in the final round, one student from each level (elementary, middle and high) was chosen by judges as the winners of the competition. The three competition winners will perform at the International Spring Festival held at North Penn High School on Saturday, April 18.
See also:
NPHS Engineering Academy Seniors Present At Philly Materials Day At Drexel University
Local Students Compete In First Round Of Geography Bee
North Penn Football Players Read To Students In 16th Annual Reading Super Bowl
Anonymous Donor Pays Off Student Meal Debt At Three North Penn Schools
North Penn HS Student Named Semifinalist In Prestigious Scholarship Program
