Dallas ISD Students Honor MLK in 34th Annual Speech Contest

In the center of Dallas City, in the magnificent Dallas and Charles Villiers Theater, some of the fourth- and fifth-grade students stepped on the stage, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s justice, unity, and unbreakable hope, in the lasting approach, the new life was blown away.

This Foley and Lardner LLP MLK was a distinguished tradition of the Dallas Independent School District, the 34th year of the Junior Speech Competition, and invited young students to prepare and give fundamental speeches based on King’s teachings. Students of more than 90 primary schools across the district deposited their entries at the beginning of the academic year, each of which answered an intense question: As a person who studied Dr. King’s life, what do you think that today’s message with the world will share?

After the school-level stringent and semi-finals, eight extraordinary finalists came to the platform. Their three-to-five-minute speeches were not just lessons—they were personal, emotional announcements, which were added to historical honor today, in compassion, hardships in difficulties, and presented love as a final solution.

The atmosphere of pride filled the hall of students, teachers, guardians, and community leaders. The judges included former star Rolando Blackman, motivational speaker Dalton Sherman, and NFL legendary players T.Y. Montgomery and DeMarcus Ware. Everyone listened carefully and evaluated not only the courage, self-confidence, and authenticity displayed by each child.

One of the most emotional presentations was by a fourth-grade schoolgirl of Preston Hollow Elementary School. While accepting the pain, hatred, injury, and division of the world, she expressed the spirit of King with calm power and stressed that the challenges should be faced “not from hatred, but love.” She also narrated her fundamental poem, in which she emphasized that even in the dark, people can see the stars and choose to become part of that light themselves. Her words touched hearts deeply: “If Dr. King could see today’s world, I believe that he would say, do not stop. Keep working, keep working, keep on love.”

As soon as the winner Blain was declared, the viewers jumped happily. Blain got a laptop, a $2,000 award, and the honor to pursue this heritage. Other excellent performers included Destiny Williams of Paul L. Dunbar Learning Center and Kennedy King of Solar Preparatory School for Girls, whose self-confident demonstration left an indelible impression on the audience.

Beyond the awards, this competition creates a permanent impact that is deepened with Foley and Lardner LLP and Dallas ISD. It ensures public speaking skills, promotes contemplation on the history of civil rights, and celebrates the vibrant diversity of the district. Many former participants have given speeches at the national level, which proves how early incentives can keep young voices active for years.

At a time when headlines are often exposed to struggle, these children presented an opposite approach: Hope is not idle—it is an active choice, which the next generation has boldly expressed on forums. Their courage reminds us all that Dr. King’s dream is not fixed in the past; it is alive, developing, and currently receiving a new and strong expression.

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