2015 DALLAS EVENT FACTS PAGE
23rd Annual Gardere MLK Jr. Oratory Competition
For more information, contact:
Ashley Barnes, 214.999.4178  [email protected]
LaTonya Copeland, 972.925.3456  [email protected]
Event:
rd
– 23 Annual Gardere MLK Jr. Oratory Competition sponsored by Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP and
co-presented by the Dallas Independent School District
 Semi-Finals: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Dallas ISD Headquarters Auditorium
 Finals: Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre, Downtown Dallas
Theme for Speeches: “If Dr. King were to win the Nobel Peace Prize today, what would he say in his acceptance speech?”
Participant Criteria:
– Fourth and fifth grade elementary students compose their own original three-to-five minute speeches,
incorporating ideals from Dr. King’s writings, speeches and other records, to answer the competition’s theme
question, “If Dr. King were to win the Nobel Peace Prize today, what would he say in his acceptance
speech?”
– Students are judged on delivery, stage presence and decorum, content interpretation and memorization at all three
levels (school, semi-finals and finals) of the competition
– Participating Dallas ISD elementary schools host in-school competitions of 20 students (maximum) per school
– First place winners then participate in the semi-final competition at which time eight finalists are selected
2015 Participating Dallas ISD Elementary Schools:
Amelia Earhart Learning Center
Hotchkiss Elementary
Arcadia Park Elementary
J.P. Starks Math, Science &
Charles Rice Learning Center
Technology Vanguard
Clara Oliver Elementary
John Neely Bryan Elementary
Ronald E. McNair Elementary
Frederick Douglass Elementary
Harry C. Withers Elementary
Thomas L. Marsalis Elementary
Thomas Tolbert Elementary
Urban Park Elementary
William Brown Miller Elementary
Wilmer-Hutchins Elementary
Purpose:
– Annual program designed by Gardere to recognize and encourage the writing and oratory skills of elementary
students
– Celebration of cultural diversity and opportunity to spotlight talented Dallas ISD students as they learn about Dr.
King
– Presented in the spirit of learning and as a celebration of Dr. King’s legacy
History and Awards:
– Established in Dallas in 1993 to commemorate the life of Dr. King; in Houston since 1997.
– In 2013, more than 380 students representing 43 schools in Dallas and Houston participated in the program along
with approximately 138 Gardere attorneys and staff members who served as judges at the in-school competitions
– Awards for student participation include a certificate of participation; the 8 Dallas finalists will also receive a
monetary gift, a participation plaque and other gifts; participating schools receive a book on civil rights for their
libraries
– Past winners and participants have delivered their speeches to numerous local and national organizations,
including annual MLK Day appearances at the House of Blues and the Dallas Bar Association. They have also
appeared on local national television programs, including Oprah, CBS’ The Early Show, The Today Show, The
Ellen DeGeneres Show, CBS’ KTVT Channel 11, KDFW Fox 4 News and in numerous local and community
newspapers.
Program Details:
– The finals competition will feature representatives from Gardere, Dallas ISD and emcee, Clarice Tinsley, veteran
journalist for Channel 4 Fox News in Dallas and community leader, as well as a number of VIP
community/civic/business leaders on the judging panel
– Outstanding entertainment presented by Dallas ISD students
– Judges at the semi-final competition will include Gardere attorneys
– For more information: http://www.gardere.com/Firm_Profile/Community/
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