Dallas ISD students reflect on Dr. King’s legacy in MLK Jr. Oratory Competition

The 32nd Annual Foley MLK Jr. Oratory Competition, co-presented by Dallas ISD, was held at the historic McFarlin Auditorium at Southern Methodist University in Dallas on Jan. 12. Incorporating ideals from Dr. King’s writings and speeches, eight fourth and fifth-grade Dallas ISD elementary school students presented original three-to-five-minute speeches addressing the topic: “How would Dr. King reflect on the 60 years since his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech?” Aiden Body, a fourth grader from T.L. Marsalis Elementary School, the first-place winner in Dallas, reflected on Dr. King’s popular use of banking as a metaphor to talk about freedom, prosperity, and peace. “While many people have a positive amount in the bank for these things, minorities see a negative amount in their bank account,” said Aiden. “It’s time to go back to the bank and make things right. It’s all up to us to say something when someone is treated wrong.” Related Stories Jzairus Hopkins-Swanson, a fifth grader from Thomas Tolbert Elementary School, placed second in the competition, and Kennedy Smith, a fifth grader from Charles Rice Learning Center, placed third. The event is presented, hosted and sponsored by Foley & Lardner LLP. In the spirit of learning and celebration, the...