NPSD Black History Oratorical Competition
Each year in celebration of black history month, NPSD students in grades three through 12 are invited to participate in the NPSD Black History Oratorical Competition (BHOC). Beginning in 2019, the competition is designed to give NPSD public school students an opportunity to shine through public speaking while honoring black history. To enter the contest, students are required to submit a video of themselves reciting a published speech or poem from an African-American or black leader such as Toni Morrison, Michelle Obama, Barack Obama, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jesse Jackson, etc.
The BHOC culminates in a final competition round consisting of live, competitive and celebratory performances. The event serves not only as a chance for students to vie for the title of competition winner, but also provided North Penn students, families and community members the opportunity to celebrate black history through musical performances by students and staff.
Based on criteria including expression/stage presence, delivery and presentation, and overall effectiveness, student finalists are judged by a panel of diverse educators and community members. From the finalists selected to compete in the final round, one student from each level (elementary, middle and high) is chosen by judges as the winners of the competition. The three competition winners then go on to perform at the International Spring Festival held at North Penn High School.