The 2023 YouthSpeak Contest is now CLOSED
OC Human Relations’ annual YouthSpeak Contest is a county-wide search for the top human relations speech written and delivered by a high school student and essay written by a middle school student. Please note there are separate entry forms for each.
Guidelines:
PLEASE NOTE: The contest is open to all Orange County, CA, middle or high school students, provided they are not related to an OC Human Relations Commissioner, Board Member, employee, nor are a previous winner.
Please be sure to thoroughly read and write your speech or essay accordingly to the following theme & prompt:
This year’s theme is “Lift Others as we Rise”. What Does it mean to you to Lift others as we Rise? Why is this so important today & HOW Can we do this for one another?
Contest Rules:
- The essay (middle school students) is to be between 300 and 400 words in length, must be the original work of the contestant and have not been used in another contest.
- The entry form and essay must be submitted to OC Human Relations via the form below by: 3pm Friday, March 31
- The speech (high school students) is to be between 300 and 400 words in length (2.5 to 3.5 minutes in length), must be the original work of the contestant and have not been used in another contest.
- The entry form and speech must be submitted to OC Human Relations via the form below by: 3pm Friday, March 31
- The top 3 finalists must live-deliver their speech on April 12th, 2023 at 5:00pm at the OC Human Relations’ monthly board meeting, in person or virtual. Winners will be notified after via phone call.
