Aldine ISD Black History Oratory Competition Begins Jan. 24

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The second annual Aldine ISD Black History Oratory Competition will begin on January 24, 2022. 

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The competition will coincide with Black History Month in February and serve as a districtwide celebration. The competition is open to all Aldine ISD students in grades 3-12. Each campus will host individual campus competitions before selecting the top winner at each campus. 

“We know that students have a voice and a lot to say about leadership,” Sheleah D. Reed, APR, Aldine ISD chief of staff. “This contest will give us an opportunity to hear directly from our students. The Holdsworth Center helped us define what leadership should look like in Aldine ISD. Which is to connect, inspire, and impact. Our hope is that through celebrating student voices, we can empower them to lead at all times.” 

In Aldine, there has been a sense of what leadership looks like for years, but each staff members’ interpretation may have differed. Holdsworth supported Aldine with identifying specific language aligned with the district’s strategic priority, Mission-Driven Leadership, to create consistency and unity around what leadership looks like. This specific language led to the development of a Leadership Definition to establish transparent communication throughout the organization.   

“Our mission clearly communicates our commitment to preparing our students for college, career, and life,” explained Dana Arreola, executive director of leadership development. “In an effort to ensure that our students thrive in today’s global society we build leadership skills early. We inspire student leaders to develop relationships, have a voice, take risks and take ownership for their education. Opportunities like the black history oratory competition create skills that students can carry into life after graduation.” 

Campus competitions will take place between January 24 – February 17. The district competition will take place from February 21-23. 

To participate in the competition, students will individually create a spoken presentation that relates to the theme, ChangeMakers.

In 3 to 5 minutes, students will describe how an African American leader has demonstrated leadership by inspiring others, connecting people of different cultures, and impacting change. The original oratory piece must be recorded using Flipgrid, an online video discussion tool. 

After each campus selects their first, second and third place winners, the first place winners will move on to compete in the district finals where they will compete against different students in their grade level from across the district. From this contest, three first-place winners (Elementary, Middle, and Ninth Grade and High School) will be named 2022 Aldine ISD Black History Oratory winners. The winners will receive a trophy and be honored at the March 8 School Board meeting.

Aldine ISD students in Grades 3-12 interested in participating in the second annual Aldine ISD Black History Oratory Competition should reach out to their campus.