Article Found at Rockdale Citizen
The 2015 Rockdale Middle School Oratorical Competition showcased how the event has grown over the years. This year’s event featured more of everything — more students and more schools participating and more scholarship money given away.
This year’s event was open to all four Rockdale County Public Schools middle schools in all three grades, sixth, seventh and eighth. More sponsors supporting the event meant that more prize money could be given away. In addition to Rockdale Clerk of Courts Ruth Wilson, top sponsors included the Rotary Club of Conyers, Lexicon Technologies, Evans Tool and Die and Snapping Shoals Electric Membership Corporation.
The first place winner for sixth grade was Margaret Hwang of Memorial Middle School. She spoke on “Why Should I Volunteer.” Corey Kidd of Davis Middle School won first glace for seventh grade speaking on “Imagine A World Where…” And the first place winner for eighth grade was Chaz Dooley of Davis Middle School, who spoke on “What It Means To Be A Leader.” All first place winners received cash prizes of $500.
Second place winners were Summer Watson, sixth grade, Conyers Middle School; Andrea Campbell, seventh grade, Conyers Middle School; and Avion Levermore, eighth grade, Conyers Middle School. Third place winners were Samuel Clark, sixth grade, Davis Middle School; Connor Mack, seventh grade, Memorial Middle School; and Tymesha Kindell, eighth grade, Edwards Middle School. Second and third place winners received prizes of $350 and $150, respectively.
Winners and their parents were encouraged to start their college savings now during a presentation by the Georgia Student Finance Commission Path 2 College 529 Plan. Several students committed to saving at least half of their winnings.
Rockdale Public Schools Superintendent Richard Autry kicked off the competition reminding all that academic opportunities such as the Oratorical Competition should be pursued by students and supported by the public.
“It is important that students are given these opportunities to not only showcase their academic talent, but to compete in academic extracurricular activities,” said Autry. “We truly appreciate the partnership with the Clerk of Courts Office to create this oratorical competition and give students the chance to be awarded for their hard work and oratory talent.”
“Lexicon is honored to partner with Clerk of Courts Ruth Wilson to support the Rockdale Middle School Oratorical Competition,” said Lexicon Technologies CEO Travis Collins. “Our team feels strongly that supporting our public schools and encouraging students to strive is an investment in a brighter future for all.”
Collins, a former Board of Education member, was on hand to congratulate all the participants and emphasize again his support for Rockdale County Public Schools.
Plans are underway for the fall 2016 Oratorical Competition with an expanded group of public/private partners and sponsors. Questions may be directed to Cindy Ball of Rockdale County Public Schools at 770-860-4226.
