Deals and Steals on upgrades for the home!

Open menu

  • Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2023 ABC News
  • Living

Students honor Martin Luther King Jr. in speech competition: 'What you started, we are going to finish it'

VIDEO: Children give speeches inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.
3:43
Children give speeches inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.
ABCNews.com
ByCatherine Thorbecke and Kelly McCarthy
January 21, 2019, 9:14 am

A group of Texas elementary school students honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by carrying on the work he began, giving speeches inspired by his life and mission.

The theme of this year's Foley Gardere Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory competition for fourth- and fifth-graders from Dallas and Houston was "What would Dr. King say to the children of the world today?"

"Dr. King would say to the kids of today’s world, there’s always room for improvement," fifth-grader Layla James said in her speech.

PHOTO: Fourth and fifth graders from Dallas and Houston honored the late Martin Luther King Jr. in a speech contest inspired by his life and work.
Fourth and fifth graders from Dallas and Houston honored the late Martin Luther King Jr. in a speech contest inspired by his life and work.
ABC News

(MORE: UCLA gymnast Katelyn Ohashi speaks out about her flawless floor routine and body shaming in gymnastics)

Editor’s Picks

Martin Luther King Jr: Inspirational quotes

  • Apr 04, 2019

Watch college athlete find out she's been awarded a full scholarship and tell her mom

  • Jan 18, 2019

2019 Oscar nominations: 'Roma,' 'The Favourite' lead, 'Black Panther' also scores big

  • Jan 22, 2019

"No matter your ethnicity, race or gender ... you come from a people that fought to make life better," Nyla Johnson, a fifth-grader, said. "You come from a legacy that says, 'I will not settle for second best.'"

PHOTO: Fourth and fifth graders from Dallas and Houston honored the late Martin Luther King Jr. in a speech contest inspired by his life and work.
Fourth and fifth graders from Dallas and Houston honored the late Martin Luther King Jr. in a speech contest inspired by his life and work.
ABC News

"What have you decided to do when you grow up?" fifth-grader Emmanuel Akukoro asked. "Will you be a doctor? A lawyer or a teacher? You can be anything if you put your mind to it."

PHOTO: Fourth and fifth graders from Dallas and Houston honored the late Martin Luther King Jr. in a speech contest inspired by his life and work.
Fourth and fifth graders from Dallas and Houston honored the late Martin Luther King Jr. in a speech contest inspired by his life and work.
ABC News

Leik Mire, also in fifth grade, said: "Let's get off of Facebook ... and put our face in a book!"

Fourth-grader Chrisette Wigfall quoted the legendary civil rights leader, saying, "Dr. King once said, 'Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.'"

Alexa Zelya, a fourth-grader, powerfully stated, "It is not through separation, but through uniqueness that make us all one. One nation, one power, one people, together."

PHOTO: Fourth and fifth graders from Dallas and Houston honored the late Martin Luther King Jr. in a speech contest inspired by his life and work.
Fourth and fifth graders from Dallas and Houston honored the late Martin Luther King Jr. in a speech contest inspired by his life and work.
ABC News

Alexandra Torres said she felt it was her generation's mission to finish the work King began, proclaiming, "Thank you, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. What you started, we are going to finish it."

Related Topics
  • MLK

Editor’s Picks

Martin Luther King Jr: Inspirational quotes

  • Apr 04, 2019

Watch college athlete find out she's been awarded a full scholarship and tell her mom

  • Jan 18, 2019

2019 Oscar nominations: 'Roma,' 'The Favourite' lead, 'Black Panther' also scores big

  • Jan 22, 2019
Up Next in Living—

Undocumented immigrant turns Ph.D. hopes into reality

September 29, 2023

Lunar watchers treated to the sight of 2023's last supermoon

September 29, 2023

Gen Z is burdened by student loan debt, and now many are facing payments for 1st time

September 29, 2023

Michigan music teachers bring orchestra to life for middle schoolers

September 28, 2023

Up Next in Living—

Undocumented immigrant turns Ph.D. hopes into reality

September 29, 2023

Lunar watchers treated to the sight of 2023's last supermoon

September 29, 2023

Gen Z is burdened by student loan debt, and now many are facing payments for 1st time

September 29, 2023

Michigan music teachers bring orchestra to life for middle schoolers

September 28, 2023

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2023 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2023 ABC News