Join us for the 2025 Langston Hughes
Youth Oratorical Contest!
Contest Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025
Time: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: The Cultural Center at the Opera House
121 N. Union Avenue
Havre de Grace, Maryland 21078
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Celebrate the incredible talent of Harford County’s youth at the annual Langston Hughes Youth Oratorical Contest. Middle and high school students will deliver original speeches inspired by the powerful theme, “A Dream Deferred is a Dream Denied,” drawn from Langston Hughes’ iconic poem “Harlem.” Witness these gifted young orators as they share their voices, creativity, and vision for the future. Don’t miss this inspiring showcase of passion and excellence—come and support the best of Harford County!
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Free to the Public
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Contestant Information
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NOTE; A PRACTICE / COACHING SESSION AVAILABLE:
Date and Time: Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.
Location: Havre de Grace Colored School Museum and Cultural Center, Inc.,
555 Alliance Street, Havre de Grace, MD 21078
(Virtual coaching sessions will be held with individual students upon request.)
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Scholarships are payable to the student. All contestants must be present to receive their award.
(Scholarships are awarded by a sponsor. No donations or grants are used to fund the awards.)
RULES:
Contestants must be a Harford County resident.
Contestants must be in grades 6 through 12, including homeschooled students.
Contestants must provide a valid school ID or proof of age.
SPEECH REQUIREMENTS:
Contestants must deliver a speech related to the official theme, "A Dream Deferred is a Dream Denied!" and include the phrase at least once.
Speeches should be inspirational, with no politics or offensive language.
Speeches must be between 4 and 5 minutes in length.
Penalty of one point for speeches under 4 minutes or over 5 minutes.
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GUIDELINES:
No props, costumes, clothing, or prompters are allowed.
Speeches must be delivered in English.
Copyrighted or quoted material must be verbally identified.
Contestants must prepare their own speeches.
No usage or reading from notes during the presentation.
PENALTIES:
Failure to use the official topic results in a deduction of 3 points.
Failure to identify non-original material leads to disqualification.
Use of props, costumes, or prompters results in disqualification.
Time penalties of 1 point for every 15 seconds over or under the allotted time.
SCORING CRITERIA:
Poise, appearance, and personality: 20 points.
Content of speech, including subject adherence, theme, content, and logic: 35 points.
Delivery and presentation, including voice, volume, pronunciation, gestures, eye contact, sincerity, and emphasis: 35 points.
Overall effectiveness, including appeal, impression, attitude, and effect: 10 points.