Donor: Foley & Lardner, LLP on behalf of Miss Celina, Zahmaria Choice
Available to: Miss Texas delegates
Scholarship Amount: Two $500 Scholarships
Application Deadline: June 1, 2025
Scholarship Qualifications & About:
Foley & Lardner LLP is proud to support the Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition held in Dallas, Houston, and Chicago. In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, the competition showcases the cultural diversity, creativity, and talent of local communities by recognizing the public speaking and writing skills of elementary students.
Each year, fourth- and fifth-grade students are invited to write and deliver original three- to five-minute speeches based on a theme inspired by Dr. King’s teachings. Their speeches reflect how Dr. King’s words continue to influence their lives and shape their understanding of leadership, justice, and equality.
The competition begins with virtual or school-based qualifying rounds and progresses to semifinals and city finals. Students are evaluated on delivery, stage presence, memorization, and content interpretation. The final round is held the Friday before Martin Luther King Jr. Day and judged by a panel of community and business leaders.
n 2025, the Dallas competition welcomed over 100 students from 20 Dallas ISD schools. Finalist Deon Harris, a fourth grader, was crowned the winner at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre for his response to the prompt: “What would Dr. King tell us about our responsibility as citizens and leaders in America today?”
Application Requirements
Written essay OR video submission.
Applicants must complete both parts of the application:
Part 1: Watch the Winning Speech
View Deon Harris’ 2025 winning speech here: MLK Jr. Oratory Competition Winner - Deon Harris
Part 2: Essay in (500–750 words) or Video (5–7 minutes)
Respond to the following prompts:
1. Reflection Prompt:
From your perspective as a young adult in today’s world, how would you respond to this year’s competition prompt: “What would Dr. King tell us about our responsibility as citizens and leaders in America today?”
2. Topic Suggestion Prompt
Each summer, the Foley team selects the prompt for the upcoming year’s competition. What topic would you propose for the 2026 MLK Jr. Oratory Competition?
a. Why does this topic resonate with you?
b. What types of responses or perspectives would you hope to hear from elementary students? (Your suggestion may be selected as next year’s official topic!)
*Essay should be submitted via link below in PDF format
*Video should be submitted via public link to Google Drive or Dropbox