This event was designed from the heart by Asé Productions for beloved community and is made possible through an invaluable partnership with the Suburban Unity Alliance and Race Conscious Dialogues and the generous support of

the Nova Collective and the Village of Oak Park.

An original oratory competition is an event where students write and deliver their own persuasive or informative speeches, with the goal of inspiring belief, reinforcing conviction, or educating the audience through the effective use of language and delivery.

1. Purpose: The general purpose of the speech is to persuade the audience.

2. Delivery: The speech must be composed and delivered by the contestant themselves. It does not need to be memorized, but should not be simply read from a script. Students must compete in-person.

3. Content: The speech can cover any appropriate topic, but the information presented must be truthful. Any non-factual references must be clearly identified.

4. Time Limit: There is no minimum or maximum time limit.

5. Quotes: No more than 50 words of the speech can be direct quotes from other sources. Any quoted material must be properly identified in a printed copy of the speech provided on the day of the competition. Extensive paraphrasing from other sources is not allowed.

6. Script: The contestant must provide a printed copy of their speech script, which identifies any quoted material, to the judges on the day of the competition.

7. Re-Use: A student may re-use an oration they submitted in a prior competition in any previous contest year.

8. Eligibility: Eligible students will be enrolled in a public, private or homeschool program within Oak Park, IL and neighboring communities. Elementary school students (Grades K - 5), Middle school students (Grades 6 - 8), High school students (Grades 9 - 12)

9. Winning students will be invited and encouraged to perform at the Juneteenth Flag Raising on Wednesday, June 12th.