Thursday, January 30, 1997
CONTEST:
Northwest Campus Auditorium to host competition tonightBy Toni
Dimayuga
Daily Bruin Contributor
For some students, Martin Luther King Day means more than a day
off from school.
"He was a man … that realized that human life was important
and all human beings were equal," said Velva Moses, a second-year
English and communications student.
Moses is one of the finalists at the ninth annual Martin Luther
King Jr. Oratorical Contest which will be held tonight at the
Northwest Campus Auditorium.
Sponsored by the Multicultural Programming Committee, the event
centers on speeches submitted by students addressing a certain
theme. This year’s theme is "Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or
Community."
The contest begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m. Other events
include poetry readings, a rendition of the Black National Anthem
and performances by the UCLA Gospel Choir, said Sunset Village Area
Director Suzanne Seplow. Seplow is also chair of the contest and of
the Multicultural Programming Committee.
Plaques will be awarded to the first, second and third place
winners, and all finalists will receive certificates. Judges
include esteemed UCLA faculty such as Assistant Vice Chancellor for
Students and Campus Life Robert Naples, Dean of Students emeritus
Raymond Goldstone and former Gov. Michael Dukakis.
The contest was co-founded in 1985 by Della Prysock, the
resident director of Rieber Hall, and originated at Central
Michigan University through the Minority Affairs office. Prysock
explained that the students’ need to represent the late King’s
speeches in their own way led to the contest’s formation.
The event moved to UCLA in 1989. Prysock recalled that the
contest’s first year drew more than 400 people to the Rieber Hall
fireside lounge.
Sixteen to 18 entries are received each year, Seplow said, and
five to seven finalists are chosen to compete in the event. This
year the contenders will recite their speeches from memory.
One reason students like Moses enter the contest is not only
because they enjoy the art of public speaking, but because it gives
them the chance to speak their minds about an important issue.
"Whenever I have the opportunity to speak and have other people
listen to me, I’ll use it because it’s a wonderful (way) to make an
impact on others," she said.
Moses explained that her essay addresses this year’s theme by
focusing on the fact that the key to achieving peace is to have a
unified community.
"I feel that we’re very selfish and don’t take out time to
consider the needs of others. If we continue in this way we’ll come
into chaos," she said.
Other students, such as third-year political theory student
Manuel Martinez, entered the contest primarily for fun. He added
that this is an opportunity to expose people to a topic they do not
normally discuss.
"I think that the one thing that’s made it more exciting is that
I had the support of my friends. They seem to be excited, and it
opens more dialogue," he said.
For some entrants, one experience with the contest is not
enough. Finalist Joshua Smith has participated for three years in a
row.
"I enjoy speaking and am compelled by Dr. King’s message,"
explained Smith, a third-year American literature and cultures
student.
Although tonight’s event marks the end of many weeks worth of
writing and judging, the final contenders were compelled by their
own life experiences, including religious experiences and civic
duty, to participate. Moses said that her Christian faith helped
her in writing her essay.
"My main drive is not to compete, but the love I have for the
Lord Jesus Christ  and that’s what motivates me," she
said.
Smith looked to King’s "I Have a Dream" speech for inspiration
and explained that people should take the time to listen to its
message.
"I saw his biblical allusions and brought out the meaning of
what he said," he said.
As a result of entering the oratorical contest, the finalists
realized that King has made a lasting impression on their lives.
Martinez explained that to him, King’s ideals are not centered only
on African Americans, but that they transcend to everyone.
"I think because I’m not African American, I look at not
necessarily the black struggle, but at civil rights  how it
extends to all races," he said.
Smith stressed that even though he died many years ago, King’s
words still ring true today.
"They didn’t die with the man," he said.