Matthias McBride, 10, emerged as the winner of Houston, Texas' 16th annual Gardere MLK Jr. Oratory Competition on Friday, January 13, 2012.
There couldn’t be a more appropriate time to hear the words of our young people as we prepare to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The young folks of Houston, Tx., do an awesome job in an annual competition put on by a local law firm Gardere & Wynne, to commemorate the life of Dr. King.
We discovered the competition in 2009 and its phenomenal first place superstar, Ms. Gerra Gistand. She put together an essay so eloquent and powerful it gave us goosebumps. But this year’s winner, Matthias McBride, jumps into the competition for the second time offering the delivery of a fiery preacher.
The Houston Independent School District (HISD) Pleasantville Elementary 10-year old student could have a mega-church tomorrow with this kind of sermon. He spoke on the importance of staying “focused” and concluded his speech with these stirring words:
“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor popular nor political. But one must take that position because it … is … right!”
Happy Birthday Dr. King! You have GOT to be proud of this young man and all the wonderful young people that participated in the contest. Enjoy!
-J.C. Brooks
January 16th, 2012 at 8:43 am
I love it!!! What a powerful, timeless message!!
March 19th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
Great website. Plenty of useful info here. I am sending it to some pals ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you for your sweat!
April 22nd, 2013 at 7:28 am
My Grandmother died from Lukemia, and it worked wonders for him in the river holding his hands up, is a global one.