Sunset Junior High students are encouraged to take part in the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Speech Contest, a meaningful opportunity to explore the inspiring words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while developing public speaking skills.
Students will select and present a portion of one of Dr. King’s speeches, sharing his powerful messages of freedom, equality, and service with others. The contest provides participants with a chance to reflect on the impact of Dr. King’s work and strengthen their confidence as speakers.
Junior High Division
The secondary competition includes a Junior High category for students in grades 7-9. Our school will submit one representative to advance to the district competition. See Mrs. Herbert in the library for more details.
Speech Guidelines
Students should choose an excerpt from a single Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speech for their presentation. Speeches must:
Be at least 1 minute long
Be no longer than 3 minutes
Be presented in English or another language
Students interested in presenting in a language other than English should contact Holly Decarolis at hdecarolis@dsdmail.net.
Important Dates
Sunset Junior High School Contest: October 28, 2026, 3:30 PM in the library
District Competition: November 16-17, 2026
Prizes
Students advancing to the district competition will have the opportunity to earn the following awards in their category:
1st Place: $100
2nd Place: $75
3rd Place: $50
The Martin Luther King Jr. Speech Contest is a wonderful opportunity for students to engage with history, develop communication skills, and share messages that continue to inspire positive change. We encourage all interested Sunset Junior High students to consider participating and using their voices to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.