Rising Voices: NKMS Orators Take the National Stage with Powerful Performances

North Kirkwood Middle School is celebrating an incredible season of student achievement in historical oratory. This spring, three outstanding 6th graders: June Wollf, Scarlett Bryan, and Cate Menkhus. Each had the opportunity to take the stage and bring history to life through powerful public speaking performances.

On Saturday, April 5, June represented NKMS at the Midwest Oratory Festival at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri. She performed an abridged version of Greta Thunberg's United Nations Address on climate change, captivating attendees from across the region. Her participation reflected weeks of hard work and deep preparation, and exemplified the values of perseverance, civic expression, and critical thinking.

Just a few weeks later, from Friday, May 2 through Tuesday, May 6, Scarlett and Cate traveled to Washington, D.C., to present their speeches at Ford’s Theatre and on the National Mall, in front of the Washington Monument. Scarlett delivered “The Fundamental Principles of a Republic” by Anna Howard Shaw, and Cate performed “A Disappointed Woman” by Lucy Stone. Their trip included rehearsals with Ford’s Theatre teaching artists, collaboration with student fellows from around the country, and visits to national landmarks, including the U.S. Capitol.

All three students were selected as part of North Kirkwood’s oratory program, led by social studies teacher Mr. Williams, who was chosen as one of only four educators nationwide to participate in the multi-year National Oratory Fellowship at Ford’s Theatre. Over the past two years, Mr. Williams has worked to integrate oratory into the curriculum, promoting Abraham Lincoln’s legacy of civil discourse and empowering students to find and use their voices. Since this is Mr. Williams' second year in the program, he was able to invite students.

These experiences were the culmination of months of dedication, researching historical texts, developing performance skills, and balancing academic commitments. June, Scarlett, and Cate represented NKMS with excellence and heart.