On Saturday, April 13, 2019, the Theta Iota Lambda Chapter (Springfield, MA) of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. hosts the Eleventh-Annual Senator Edward W. Brooke III Oratorical Scholarship Competition. The event is open to high school-aged young men of African or Latino descent currently attending school in Western Massachusetts and that someday desire to attend college.
The program provides the young men the opportunity to learn the art of public speaking while learning about a topic relevant to their lives. This year’s topic is: “How I see Myself, How the World Sees Me” asks contestants to locate themselves as young men of color—their histories, capacities, belief systems, and aspirations—in the swirling cloud of messages that they already receive from the world around them. Overwhelming media outlets, the entertainment industry, or political apparatuses portrayal of young men of color tend to be negative and lacking in possibility, aptitude and hope. This year’s theme offers our contestants the opportunity to tell the world who they are and what they will be. Participants have one-on-one mentoring sessions and workshops to prepare them for the competition. The top three orators are awarded scholarship money that they will receive upon enrollment at a college.
2019 Scholarship Awards:
First Place $1,500.00
Second Place $1,000.00
Third Place $750.00
For over a decade the Theta Iota Lambda Chapter (Springfield, MA) of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has sought the support of the Western Massachusetts community to find and secure young men to showcases in our event. This year is no different and we ask for your help in identifying Black and Latino men residing in Western Massachusetts who would like to participate in the Eleventh Annual Senator Edward W. Brooke III Oratorical Scholarship.
Students can register by completing the online registration form or bringing the complete application the day of the orientation. We have also included a copy of the rules, entry requirements and judging criteria. Online registration is on our web site at http://oratorical.springfieldalphas.com, or use the application button. After completing the online application, the registrant will be contacted with confirmation of registration and provided with details regarding times, dates and locations of the mandatory workshops. For additional information, please contact Kareem Nulan, our Director of Education, at kareem.nulan@gmail.com.
