7th Annual Essay/Oratory Contest finalists from left to right: Chiamaka Okoye; Chelsea Guidry; Frederick Hicks; Shania Evans; and Trinity Gipson
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (April 2, 2021) – “Impactful beyond words. This is how I would describe this year’s 7th Annual Essay/Oratorical Contest.”
Chelsea Guidry, a freshman mechanical engineering major at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), was one of five finalists for PVAMU’s 7th Annual Essay/Oratory Contest. This year’s theme for the live virtual event was “Advancing Social Justice.”
“The irony is that this theme touches the intersectionality of race, gender, and class, as well as power and privilege,” said Provost Emerita and Professor Emma Joahanne Thomas-Smith, Ed.D. Thomas-Smith, who oversees the event, founded the contest in 2015. “The PVAMU student is keenly aware of injustice in the labor force, education, health care, voting rights, environment, gender identity, and many other areas. This contest challenged undergraduate student writers to lift their voices to not only examine the complexity of the deeply rooted devaluing of human beings based on their race, ethnicity, gender, or other distinguishing characteristics but to propose carefully reasoned strategies for addressing the dismantling of social injustice.”
Dozens of students submitted essays ranging from 1,700 to 2,500 words addressing the theme. The competition concluded with the live oratory showcase, where the chosen five finalists delivered seven- to nine-minute speeches based upon their written essays.
Along with Guidry, finalists included:
- Shania Evans, a sophomore biology major;
- Trinity Gipson, a junior political science major;
- Frederick Hicks, a junior communication major; and
- Chiamaka Okoye, a senior biology major.
“This year’s topic was truly dear to my heart,” Gipson said. “I am very passionate about the subject because I want nothing more than to see the advancement of my race in my lifetime. I possess a coalesce of novel yet grossly unpopular ideas on how to advance social justice. I know if we consider them, we will see unequivocal change in the Black community.”
Okoye said, “Participating in the oratory contest challenged me as a student and global citizen to critically think about the world. I was honored to be amid such scholarship and learn from the words of fellow students. I am incredibly grateful for all who made the opportunity possible.” Okoye, as well as Gipson and Guidry are a part of the Honors Program at PVAMU.
“I am very grateful that Dr. [Quincy] Moore, Director of the Honors Program, encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and participate in this contest,” said Guidry. “As a freshman, this competition has allowed me to get involved on campus and engage in the immense opportunities available at Prairie View A&M University.”
Gipson, Hicks, and Guidry received first, second, and third place, respectively, and they each received cash prizes ranging from $1,500 to $2,500. Evans and Okoye earned honorable mentions.
“It was an intellectually stimulating and truly invigorating experience for all who care about social justice,” Thomas-Smith said. “Our students demonstrated that they are stellar advocates for being socially responsible for effecting systemic change.”
“I am very thankful to Dr. Thomas-Smith and countless others for this opportunity for my voice to be heard,” said Evans. “The revolution never dies, and neither does my will to keep fighting for true equality!”
To view the finalists’ performances from the 7th Annual Essay/Oratory Contest, click here. Watch the full event here.
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