TUSCALOOSA/BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Jack & Jill Teen Meghan Marks has won the organization’s Ann Owen Gordon Teen State of Alabama Oratorical Competition. The state event, a culmination of local competitions which took place in Birmingham and across Alabama this winter, was held Saturday, April 12th, at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The 2014 Teen Oratorical Competition is themed “Pink and Blue: The American You.”
The Birmingham Chapter member, a high school junior at Indian Springs School, is the daughter of Dr. Robert and Fran Marks.
Another young member who represented the Birmingham Chapter and advanced to the state level in his age-group category was Elijah Cantelow, the son of Rev. John and Rhonda Cantelow. Elijah presented his Speak Up / Speak Out! speech on the topic of “Me: My Legacy.”
The Ann Owen Gordon Oratorical Competition “is designed to inspire and encourage Teens to embrace and value the art of public speaking. The competition begins at the chapter level with the selection of a participant who competes at the Area Oratorical Competition.” Speak Up – Speak Out! “ is a signature program of the organization’s Southeastern Region. It is not a competition but, an opportunity for younger youth, 10-12 years, to speak before an audience without the pressure of competition.”
For children and teens, the process builds confidence, helps them to develop their ideas into a focused message, and enhances speaking and presentation skills.
Meghan will advance to the championship competition by representing her chapter and state at the 2014 Jack & Jill Southeastern Regional Teen Conference in Nashville, Tenn. in July. Locally, the Birmingham Chapter conducted its oratorical presentations in conjunction with a Black History Program, February 8, at the YWCA. Second Place winner in the Teen Oratorical Competition, Division II, ages 16-19, was Reginald Lawson. Jeremiah Spillers presented as a non-competitive participant. Quest Agee also presented as a “Speak Up Speak Out!” participant.
A number of community leaders served as judges and members of the Listening Panel, including: Gwen Amamoo, Cedric Burden, Walvid King, Blair Liggins, Gwen May, and Katrina Watson.
As part of the Black History experience, children and adults reflected on the contributions made by so many during Birmingham’s 50th Commemoration of 1963. Participants transferred those thoughts onto individual index cards, which will form a collaborative remembrance of that time.
Adrienne Jones is Birmingham Chapter president. Mothers’ Oratorical Committee leaders included: Rhonda Cantelow, Chair; Hermieon Carter, Vice Chair. Speak Up Speak Out! Committee leaders included: Wanda Spillers, Chair; Majella Chube Hamilton, Vice Chair. Black History Committee leadership included: Dr. Stacey Haynes Nelson, Chair; Dolores Johnson, Vice Chair. Committee members included: Christina Norman, Tampia Anderson, Mia Cowin, Merika Coleman, Yolanda Jackson-Royal, Terri Gardner, Joy Simon, Denise Gregory, Natasha Walker, Judge Nyya Hudson, Dr. Monique Gardner-Witherspoon, and Cathy Floyd.
Teen Committee members served as follows – Oratorical Committee: Carmen Cantelow, Chair; Kameron Carter, Vice Chair. Black History Committee: Christina Johnson, Chair; Elexia Coleman, Vice Chair. Teen Committee members: Hannah Floyd, Cameron Gardner, Neal Hamilton, Preston Mitchell, Makeda Royal, and Jeremiah Spillers.
