Diversity Initiatives

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Speech Contest

The University of Evansville's 3rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Speech Contest

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Logo

Rules and Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in the 3rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Speech Contest! So often, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day becomes just another holiday in which we attend just another program. We, as the UE Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee, want to change that! The purpose of this contest is to engage local high school students in recognizing the true significance of Martin Luther King, Jr. as well as to highlight the extraordinary talent that our local youth possess. Please read the following rules and guidelines carefully.

Who Can Participate?

  • Students residing in Vanderburgh, Gibson, Posey, and Warrick Counties that are high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors, or the equivalent thereof, but no older than 19 years of age are eligible to participate
View Past Winning Essays

What Are the Topics?

  • Students are invited to write a 3-5min speech on one of the following two topics:
    • "If Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were never born..."
    • "If Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were still alive..."

Submission Guidelines

  • Speeches must be 350-600 words, typed, double-spaced, 12pt. Times New Roman font with 1" margins
  • Do not include any personal information such as name or school on the speech itself
  • Create a cover page as a separate document that includes your first and last name, phone number, address, and school
  • Both the speech and the cover page must be e-mailed as attachments to La Toya Smith at ls103@evansville.edu by Thursday, Dec. 1st, 2011 11:59pm central standard time

Selection Process

  • After the submission deadline, the UE Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee will review all submissions and choose the top ten
  • These ten individuals will be contacted by La Toya Smith on Monday, Dec. 12, 2011 to invite them to read their speeches to the Committee at the University of Evansville on Monday, Jan. 9th, 2012
  • Upon hearing the top ten participants' speeches on Monday, Jan. 9th, 2012, the Committee will choose the final three
  • The final three will be invited to perform their speeches at the afternoon community program on Monday, Jan. 15, 2012
  • At community program, a panel of distinguished judges will choose the winner
  • All three of the finalists will receive a framed certificate
  • The winner will also receive $200

If you have any questions, contact La Toya Smith, Diversity and Equity Officer at the University of Evansville at (812) 488-2413 or ls103@evansville.edu. On behalf of the UE Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee, we look forward to reviewing your submission, and we wish you all the best!