Annual Oratorical Contest

The goal of the Oratorical Contest is for students to experience the same transformative power of language that Frederick Douglass did as a young man. The contest is open to all students in grades 1-12 and is hosted in early december. Students memorize and present a portion of a Douglass speech from a stage at his home of Cedar Hill.

Look below for more info on applications, movies about the contest, and lists of past winners.

Podium Points Oratory Videos

We have a new tool to help you prepare this year. Four movies, each of which breaks down a different aspect of great oratory. Thembi Duncan (a master from Ford's Theatre) and students at Oyster-Adams Bilingual School, take you through physical, verbal, and mental skills, as well as how to practice with others. Thanks to Ford's Theatre, the National Mall, the National Park Foundation, and Meridian Hill Productions for their help.

Application Packet

Memorization Tips

Oration Tips

Oration Tips from the Columbian Orator

Judging Criteria

Bibliography of Douglass Speeches

Teaching American History: Frederick Douglass Document Library

DC Public School Curriculum Standards

Past winners

Pictures from 2011

Pictures from the 2011 contest are being posted to www.flickr.com/photos/frederickdouglassnhs. You might have noticed we had more cameras at the contest than in years past. We are going to be posting some of those pictures to a flickr page where you are free to browse them. Thanks to Eli, Miguel, and Padraic for handling the cameras all three days. Hope you enjoy. And please check back for updates or friend us on facebook (www.facebook.com/frederickdouglassnhs) to hear as soon as more pictures are posted.

2011 Winners

The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site would like to thank all of the 2011 Oratorical Contestants who worked so hard and did such a good job. We would also like to thank all the parents and teachers who supported, cajoled, and helped guide the students throughout the process. And finally, thank you to our judges who graciously gave their time. Special congratulations to our 2011 winners!

Elementary (Grades 1-3)

1st
Brayden Wood
Saint Philips the Apostle School
Camp Springs, MD

2nd
Ashley Brown
Nannie Helen Burroughs School
Washington, DC

3rd
Micah Ball
Nannie Helen Burroughs School
Washington, DC

Junior (4-5)

1st
Ahriana Merryweather
Hope Community Charter School
Washington, DC

2nd
Donzhei Green
Arts and Technology Academy
Washington, DC

3rd
Eric Daniels
James PB Duffy School #12
Rochester, NY

3rd
Vishnu Srinivas
Edgewood Elementary
Scarsdale, NY

Junior High (6-8)

1st
Campbell McDade-Clay
Twelve Corners Middle School
Rochester, NY

2nd
Nakul Srinivas
Scarsdale Middle School
Scarsdale, NY

3rd
Sarah Payne
Portage West Middle School
Portage, MI

Senior High (9-12)

1st
Emmanuel Lee
Benjamin Banneker High School
Washington, DC

2nd
Attiyah Jenkins
Homeschool
Silver Spring, MD

3rd
Nia Christian
Benjamin Banneker High School
Washington, DC

Oratorical Contest in the Washington Post!

Thanks to the Washington Post for coming out and taking pictures of the 2011 Contest. Check out the photo gallery for some wonderful photographs.