Honoring and congratulating Champions of the Week, Cayla Waddington, Ava Jackson, Kevin Leonard, Khyree Cousins, and Antoinette Ellis, for their incredibly hard work writing and performing original speeches for the sixth annual Thomas and Woods Foundation Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Contest.

WHEREAS, Participants were Juniors and Seniors from Philadelphia Public Schools including George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science, Parkway Center City Middle College, The Mathematics, Civics, Sciences Charter School, and Imhotep Institute Charter High School; and

WHEREAS, The MLK Jr. Speech Contest participants dedicated time outside of school to write their speeches; and

WHEREAS, Participants wrote speeches based around the prompt “Love your enemies”; and

WHEREAS, Participants showed a true understanding of the teachings of Dr. King to show the importance of compassion, conflict resolution, and respect for one another amidst major differences; and

WHEREAS, Participants worked with mentors outside of school to hone their writing and oratorical skills, helping them progress their education while making meaningful connections with peers and adults outside of school; and

WHEREAS, The first, second and third place winners of the competition received scholarships of $2,000, $1,000 and $500, respectively; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby congratulate and honor the Champions of the Week, Cayla Waddington, Ava Jackson, Kevin Leonard, Khyree Cousins, and Antoinette Ellis, for their incredibly hard work writing and performing original speeches for the sixth annual Thomas and Woods Foundation Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Contest.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy be presented to Cayla Waddington, Ava Jackson, Kevin Leonard, Khyree Cousins, and Antoinette Ellis, further evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.

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