Dallas students compete in 33rd Annual MLK Oratory competition
DALLAS - Eight Dallas ISD students honored Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy through the 33rd annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at the AT&T Performing Arts Center on Friday.
33rd Annual MLK Oratory Competition
Fourth and fifth grade students from Dallas advanced through a series of competitions that began at their school campus level.
More than 100 students from 20 DISD schools submitted videos for the competition that was then narrowed to 20 semi-finalists and then the final eight.

The topic for the 2025 competition is "What would Dr. King tell us about our responsibility as citizens and leaders in America today?"
FOX 4's Clarice Tinsley hosted the event.
MLK Oratory Competition Winner: Deon Harris
9-year-old Deon Harris, a fourth grader at Dallas ISD's J.P. Starks Math, Science and Technology Vanguard, won the competition.
"I believe as [Dr. King] looks at our society, his heart would grieve, not just because of the state of America but because of the condition of America's heart," Harris said during his speech. "The heart is vital for our existence, but it doesn't work alone. It has arteries and veins to deliver blood to the rest of the body so it can function. But when the heart is damaged, it doesn't work properly."
For winning first place, Deon received $2,000 and an iPad.
Deon, who also loves to sing, says he was nervous at the start of the competition, but now he's inspired to continue to use his voice.
His father says his son put a lot of work into his four-minute speech.
"It's touching, I know he understands the content and seriousness of what he is saying, and I think everyone in the room felt that," said Deon Harris Sr.
History of MLK Oratory Competition
The backstory:
The competition, sponsored by Foley & Lardner LLP and held in Dallas, Houston and Chicago, invites children to give original three-to-five minute speeches based on a pre-selected topic.
The speeches are meant to celebrate Dr. King's lasting influence and demonstrate how his words inspire and shape their lives.
The competition was designed to develop the writing and public speaking skills of elementary school students.
Over the years, there have been many success stories, including a participant who ended up playing the young Tina Turner of Broadway.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the MLK Oratory Competition.