A senior from Science Leadership Academy at Beeber won the School District of Philadelphia’s second annual Oratorical Contest, an event showcasing the talents of high school students. Senior Teia Hudson was selected as the winner of the competition among six other finalists during Wednesday’s event at District headquarters.

More than 50 students submitted original three-minute speeches, poems or spoken word pieces centered around this year’s theme, “Show Us Your Light,” inspired by Amanda Gormon’s “The Hill We Climb.” Students were encouraged to reflect on what it means to be introspective and self-expressive and to identify the special light that is inside of them that they share with the world.

Additional finalists include:

• Zephyra DeVine, Freshman
• Jack Zhou, Freshman
• Lily Dorfman,  Freshman
• Ghent Kadrija,  Freshman
• Jia-ming Gong,  Freshman
• Marie Frazier, Senior

This annual event was coordinated through the Office of Academic Supports.

Congratulations to Teia and all of this year’s finalists!