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Contact: John Fowler
WASHINGTON — The National Park Service announces winners for the 2024 Frederick Douglass Oratorical Contest. The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site hosts an annual oratorical contest for students ages 6 to 18. To participate in the contest, students must memorize a portion of one of Frederick Douglass’s famous speeches and recite it to a panel of judges. This year’s contest was held online and in person at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site between December 4 and December 7. Students from 12 states, the District of Columbia and Ontario, Canada participated in this year’s contest.
Winners are awarded plaques and additional prizes. Later this year, first place winners will be invited to perform their award-winning speeches in Washington DC at special events regarding Frederick Douglass. The contest features 4 divisions based on students age with each group having a different required recitation time.
The 2024 Winners by Division are as follows:
Elementary 1First Place: Owen Galarza, age 6, of Garden City, NY
Second Place: Selma Jeyathurai White, age 7, of Oakland, CA
Second Place: Kai Antoine, age 8, of Laurel, MD
Third Place: Neev Kotandon, age 6, of Saratoga, CA
Elementary 2
First Place: Yael Gustafson, age 10, Oak Park, IL
Second Place: Varsh Varun, age 11, of Scottsdale, AZ
Third Place: Ishan Prasad Mohanty, age 9, of Fairfax, VA
Middle School
First Place: Fiona Fisher, age 12, of Milton, DE
Second Place: Ayanfeoluwa Adu, age 13, of Randallstown, MD
Third Place: Saanvi Jahagirdar, age 12, Georgetown, Ontario Canada
High School
First Place: Ryan Wade Garrus II, age 16, Marriottsville, MD
The Legacy of Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass became the most important leader of the movement for African American civil rights in the 19th century. His journey from an enslaved young man to an internationally renowned activist is an inspiration for millions. He is known for his brilliant words and brave actions, and he continues to shape the ways we think about race, democracy, and the meaning of freedom. The Frederick Douglass Oratorical Contest celebrates Douglass’s activism and the many famed speeches he gave in his efforts to end slavery and promote racial equality and women’s rights. The National Park Service has held the Frederick Douglass Oratorical yearly for over 40 years. Students from around the world are encouraged to compete for prizes and honor the legacy of Frederick Douglass. Interested students can learn more about competing in the 2025 contest.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's more than 430 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
Last updated: January 15, 2025