Metro East students will compete in an oratorical competition, showcasing their skills. Learn more about this event and the local participants.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity East St. Louis Chapter in conjunction with Metro East St. Louis Community Initiative (501c3) (MESLCI) will kickoff the Judge Ora Polk Oratorical Contest on Sunday, February 25, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. from the Greater New Hope Baptist Church 2240 Missouri Ave. East St. Louis. Rev. Derienza Johnson is host pastor.
The contest is named in honor of Polk, a native East St. Louisan, noted scholar, and advocate for education. Polk served the East St. Louis Public School District as a teacher and later as principal of Dunbar Elementary School for 30 years. Dunbar’s faculty, administration and students excelled under his leadership.
As a former jurist in St. Clair County, Polk’s footprints remain in East St Louis, and the partnership with the Fraternity and the Foundation provides a platform for students to make their voices heard.
The contest allows high school students to express themselves on selected topics of interest within society that reflect the issues of today. The 2024 oratorical theme is: “The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Education and Solutions to Bridging the Gap Amongst Students.”
“The oratorical contest was one of the signature programs celebrated in the chapter and to infuse energy back in to it was long overdue,” stated Wilfert Lee, MESLCI board chairman. We are excited to remember the works of Judge Polk and hear the oratorical prowess of these high school students.”
The oratorical competition in addition to Project Alpha, Go To High School Go To College, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Lights of Alpha to name a few is one of the many programs that the Fraternity and the Foundation have joined in partnership.
During the oratorical competition, the recognition of two individuals from the East St. Louis area will receive the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award.
