Houston – One of the city’s most meaningful traditions is marking a major milestone this year. The Foley MLK Jr. Oratory Competition is celebrating 30 years of honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by uplifting some of Houston’s youngest voices.
Fourth- and fifth-grade students from across Houston ISD are stepping up to the microphone, delivering original speeches centered on hope, justice, and what they believe Dr. King’s message would be for our world today. The students write and memorize speeches that are three to five minutes long, tackling big ideas with confidence, heart, and courage.
Scott Ellis is the managing partner of Foley and Lardner’s Houston office, is serving as event emcee for the first time this year. Ellis has been involved with the competition for many years and is now carrying the torch after the retirement of longtime chair and founder Claude Treece. While Treece has stepped back from leadership, he remains part of the event as a judge.
Ellis shared why it is so important that this competition continues to live in Houston. He says watching students participate year after year is inspiring, not just for their families and schools, but for the entire community. Many past participants credit the competition with building confidence and shaping their future paths as leaders.
One of this year’s finalists is fourth grader Stormii Olezene from Blackshear Elementary School. Stormii says being part of the competition matters to her because Dr. King showed love, support, and the importance of standing up for what is right. Like many students, she admits speaking in front of people can be nerve-racking, but preparation is key. Stormii shared that she limits distractions, steps away from electronics, and practices her speech repeatedly to make sure it is fully memorized.
Stormii also draws inspiration from her close friend Montoia Murray, the competition’s first-ever back-to-back champion in 2024 and 2025. Murray has encouraged Stormii throughout the process, reminding her to believe in herself and represent her school with pride.
During the segment, Stormii delivered a powerful excerpt from her speech, reminding viewers that unity makes us stronger and that Dr. King’s message lives not just in speeches, but in all of us. Her words earned chills and tears in the studio and served as a reminder that leadership can start at any age.
The competition takes place at the historic Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, a pillar in Houston’s community and the first church established by formerly enslaved people. Antioch is celebrating its own milestone this year, marking 160 years, and has hosted the oratory competition since its early days.
You can stream tomorrow’s competition here starting at 10:00 a.m.