The Havre de Grace Colored School Museum and Cultural Center, Inc.
555 Alliance Street, Havre de Grace, Maryland 21078
The 2021
Langston Hughes
Youth Oratorical
Contest
This Event is Free to the Public
Saturday, February 6, 2021
from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Virtual Competition
All students from all backgrounds are encouraged to participate.
Online Application and
a video of the speech are due
January 9, 2021
(Click the link below)
The Langston Hughes Youth Oratorical Contest
Contestant Categories
Middle School: Grades 6-8
High School: Grades 9-12
Requirement
Contestants are required to deliver a
4 to 5 minute speech on the theme,
"What happens to a dream deferred..."
Awards
16 contestants will receive an award.
The top six (three middle and three high school students) will be required to
present their speeches on the day of the event and compete for the scholarship by category.
A Zoom Practice Session Date (optional)
Saturday
January 30, 2021, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Award Categories
1st place in each category:
(middle and high school contestants) $500 each
2nd place in each category:
(middle and high school contestants) $300 each
3d place in each category:
(middle and high school contestants) $200 each
The top 10 runners-up:
(5 middle and 5 high school contestants) $100 each
Scholarships are payable to the student.
All contestants must be present the day of the event to receive their award.
(No charitable donations or grants are used to fund these scholarships.)
Official Contest Rules and Criteria
➢Contestants must be either a high school, junior high, or middle school student, grades 6th -12th,
➢Homeschooled children are eligible.
➢ Contestants must be a Harford County resident.
➢ Contestants must show a valid school ID or proof of age.
➢ Contestants must speak on the official topic, “What happens to a dream deferred…”
and use it in their speech at least once.
➢ Speeches should be inspirational. No politics or offensive language allowed.
➢ Speeches must be at least 4 minutes but not over 5 minutes in length.
➢ A contestant will be penalized if the speech is timed to be under 4 minutes or over 5 minutes. The penalty will be one point for every 15 seconds or a fraction of over or under the allotted time. This penalty will be determined by the official timekeeper.
➢ Props, special costumes, clothing, or prompters are not permitted.
➢ Speeches must be delivered in English.
➢ Copyrighted or quoted material must be verbally identified.
➢ Contestants must prepare his or her own speech.
➢ Notes are not authorized.
Penalties
Scoring Criteria