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Photos: MLK Jr. Oratory Competition 2025

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Ten fourth- and fifth-grade students from Chicago Public Schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago competed for the top honor at Foley & Lardner LLP’s Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition on Jan. 17, 2025. The young speakers delivered original three-to-five-minute speeches addressing the question: “What would Dr. King tell us about our responsibility as citizens and leaders in America today?”

The Arthur L. Dixon Student Choir performs during an event honoring 10 fourth- and fifth-grade students from Chicago Public Schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago during Lardner LLP's Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Drake Hotel in Chicago on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
The Arthur L. Dixon Student Choir performs during an event honoring 10 fourth- and fifth-grade students from Chicago Public Schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago during Lardner LLP’s Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Drake Hotel on Jan. 17, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Harmony Daniels, of Wendell Smith Elementary, is congratulated by Illinois Sen. Elgie Sims, right, and Frank Pasquesi, a managing partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, after competing at Lardner LLP's Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Drake Hotel. As the first contestant on stage, Daniels captivated the judges and won the competition. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Harmony Daniels, of Wendell Smith Elementary, is congratulated by Illinois Sen. Elgie Sims, right, and Frank Pasquesi, a managing partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, after competing at Lardner LLP’s Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Drake Hotel. As the first contestant onstage, Daniels captivated the judges and won the competition. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Tamia Bennett, of Joseph Warren Elementary, makes her speech while competing for the top honor at Foley & Lardner LLP's Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition on Jan. 17, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Tamia Bennett, of Joseph Warren Elementary, makes her speech while competing for the top honor at Foley & Lardner LLP’s Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition on Jan. 17, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Aiden Marshall, of Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, listens to opening remarks before competing for the top honor at Foley & Lardner LLP's Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Drake Hotel on Jan. 17, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Aiden Marshall, of Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, listens to opening remarks before competing for the top honor at Foley & Lardner LLP’s Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Drake Hotel in Chicago on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. Marshall received second place in the competition. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Mackenzie James, of Lenart Elementary, makes her speech while competing for the top honor at Foley & Lardner LLP's Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Drake Hotel on 17, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Mackenzie James, of Lenart Elementary, makes her speech while competing for the top honor at Foley & Lardner LLP’s Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Drake Hotel on 17, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Lariyha Patterson, of Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, center, reads the event program before she competes against nine other fourth- and fifth-grade students from Chicago Public Schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago during Lardner LLP's Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Lariyha Patterson, of Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, center, reads the event program before she competes against nine other fourth- and fifth-grade students from Chicago Public Schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago during Lardner LLP’s Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
10 fourth- and fifth-grade students from Chicago Public Schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago compete for the top honor at Foley & Lardner LLP's Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Drake Hotel in Chicago. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Ten fourth- and fifth-grade students from Chicago Public Schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago compete for the top honor at Foley & Lardner LLP’s Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Drake Hotel in Chicago. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
LeeAnn Trotter, a feature reporter at NBC5 Chicago, listens to opening remarks during a competing between 10 fourth- and fifth-grade students from Chicago Public Schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago during the Lardner LLP's Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Drake Hotel. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
LeeAnn Trotter, a feature reporter at NBC5 Chicago, listens to opening remarks during a competing between 10 fourth- and fifth-grade students from Chicago Public Schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago during the Lardner LLP’s Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Drake Hotel. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Samira Howard, of Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, performs her speech during a competition against nine other fourth- and fifth-grade students from Chicago Public Schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago during Lardner LLP's Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Drake Hotel. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Samira Howard, of Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, performs her speech during a competition against nine other fourth- and fifth-grade students from Chicago Public Schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago during Lardner LLP’s Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Drake Hotel. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Bryce Wallace, of Arthur L. Dixon Elementary, makes her speech while pacing the stage. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Bryce Wallace, of Arthur L. Dixon Elementary, makes her speech while pacing the stage. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
10 fourth- and fifth-grade students from Chicago Public Schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago compete for the top honor at Foley & Lardner LLP's Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Drake Hotel in Chicago. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Ten fourth- and fifth-grade students from Chicago Public Schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago compete for the top honor at Foley & Lardner LLP’s Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Drake Hotel in Chicago. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Kaiden Phelps of Arthur L. Dixon Elementary smiles when finishing his speech while competing for the top honor at Foley & Lardner LLP's Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Kaiden Phelps of Arthur L. Dixon Elementary smiles when finishing his speech while competing for the top honor at Foley & Lardner LLP’s Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Aiden Marshall, of Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, right, is congratulated by Frank Pasquesi, a managing partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, at Lardner LLP's Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition. Marshall received second place in the competition. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Aiden Marshall, of Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, right, is congratulated by Frank Pasquesi, a managing partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, at Lardner LLP’s Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition. Marshall received second place in the competition. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
McKenzie Hudson, of Wendell Smith Elementary, makes her way on the stage while competing for the top honor at Foley & Lardner LLP's Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Drake Hotel on Jan. 17, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
McKenzie Hudson, of Wendell Smith Elementary, makes her way on the stage while competing for the top honor at Foley & Lardner LLP’s Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Drake Hotel on Jan. 17, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Judges and competitors pose for a photo at the end of Lardner LLP's Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Drake Hotel Jan. 17, 2025. Harmony Daniels, of Wendell Smith Elementary, won the top honor after her captivating speech as the first contestant. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Judges and competitors pose for a photo at the end of Lardner LLP’s Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Drake Hotel Jan. 17, 2025. Harmony Daniels, of Wendell Smith Elementary, won the top honor after her captivating speech as the first contestant. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)