On a recent Friday at Chicago's Drake Hotel, the future generations paid tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s enduring legacy in a manner that the civil rights icon would undoubtedly have been proud of. Elementary school students from across the city convened to lift their voices, not in song, but in oratory power, echoing King's message of nonviolence and hope as part of Foley & Lardner’s annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition. According to a Chicago Sun-Times report, the event witnessed young speakers who not only honored King’s memory but also imbued it with their fresh perspectives and dreams.
Alanna Atwood, an 11-year-old student from Wendell Smith Elementary School, commanded the room with poise, clinching first place at the competition. Echoing King's advocacy for peaceful resolution, Alanna stated, "We shouldn’t be using any weapons or anything because weapons can cause a lot of things, it can cause injuries and more things like that, and we don’t want that in the world," as per her speech mentioned in the Chicago Sun-Times. Her articulation of nonviolence was a poignant reminder of King's message, retold with an innocence and clarity that only a child could deliver.
With over 260 students participating in this year's contest across three cities, the event has grown significantly since its inception in Dallas in 1993. As observed by the Chicago Sun-Times, Frank Pasquesi of Foley & Lardner reflected on the importance of the occasion, saying, "We don’t want people to forget the impactful words and the approach he took.” Pasquesi added, “Words matter, and I think Dr. King taught us that just with words you can accomplish anything." In an era where the cacophony of discord often drowns out civil discourse, these students, like Alanna and her peers, offer us a glimmer of what can be when we choose words as our tool for change.
This year’s winner, Alanna, appeared on WGN Morning News on Monday in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, honoring Dr. King’s life and legacy. Alanna is a fifth-grade student at Wendell Smith Elementary School in the Pullman neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side, as per WGN-TV. This year's participants, representing various schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, were encouraged by the community, and each finalist took home a cash prize, a new laptop, and a congratulatory letter from Gov. JB Pritzker.
