(Courtesy photo)
Our Authors Study Club (OASC) and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Sigma Sigma Alumnae Chapter Los Angeles appreciates the community for supporting the 2022 annual Oratorical Contest. This year’s theme was Black Health and Wellness.
After many weeks of preparation and spirited competition, Olivia Carter, a 10th grade student from University High School Charter was awarded first place. Carter made a riveting impact with her poignant perspective on how mental health issues affect African American teens.
Mia Moore, a 10th grader from Flintridge Preparatory School, won second place; and coming in third was Kholin Young, a 9th-grade student from Branded Genius Academy. In addition, an honorable mention was granted to Hunter Young, a 10th grader who represented Loyola High School.
This year’s contest was a hybrid event where students competed in person with an audience of parents, judges and committee members. Meanwhile, family and friends viewed the competition via Zoom. In addition, noted psychologist Dr. Loren M. Hill was a surprise guest who echoed the importance of mental health in the overall spectrum of Black health and wellness.
Special thanks to the View Park Section of the NCNW (National Council of Negro Women) for hosting the event at their historic council house at 3720 W. 54th Street in Los Angeles. NCNW Southern California Area President Dr. Helena Johnson gave a gracious welcome.
Newly elected President Lura Daniels-Ball and historian Ernestine “Jan” Gordon of OASC extended enthusiastic sentiments for the legacy of the contest. Gordon noted that the the competition was started 67 years ago by the late Vassie D. Wright, a member of Sigma Gamma Rho and founder of OASC.
Sigma Sigma Alumnae Chapter President (Basileus) Vanessa Rickmon also attended to extend her congratulations. The Oratorical contest chair is Terri Lyons and the contestant coordinator is LaRita Shelby.
Our Authors Study Club, Inc. is the local branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), founded in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson.
For more on OASC or ASALH, visit www.oascla.org or www.ASALH.org. For information, go to www.OratoricalContest.com or email [email protected].
