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Thursday, January 30, 1997

CONTEST:

Northwest Campus Auditorium to host competition tonightBy Toni Dimayuga

Daily Bruin Contributor

For some students, Martin Luther King Day means more than a day off from school.

"He was a man ... that realized that human life was important and all human beings were equal," said Velva Moses, a second-year English and communications student.

Moses is one of the finalists at the ninth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Contest which will be held tonight at the Northwest Campus Auditorium.

Sponsored by the Multicultural Programming Committee, the event centers on speeches submitted by students addressing a certain theme. This year's theme is "Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community."

The contest begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m. Other events include poetry readings, a rendition of the Black National Anthem and performances by the UCLA Gospel Choir, said Sunset Village Area Director Suzanne Seplow. Seplow is also chair of the contest and of the Multicultural Programming Committee.

Plaques will be awarded to the first, second and third place winners, and all finalists will receive certificates. Judges include esteemed UCLA faculty such as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Students and Campus Life Robert Naples, Dean of Students emeritus Raymond Goldstone and former Gov. Michael Dukakis.

The contest was co-founded in 1985 by Della Prysock, the resident director of Rieber Hall, and originated at Central Michigan University through the Minority Affairs office. Prysock explained that the students' need to represent the late King's speeches in their own way led to the contest's formation.

The event moved to UCLA in 1989. Prysock recalled that the contest's first year drew more than 400 people to the Rieber Hall fireside lounge.

Sixteen to 18 entries are received each year, Seplow said, and five to seven finalists are chosen to compete in the event. This year the contenders will recite their speeches from memory.

One reason students like Moses enter the contest is not only because they enjoy the art of public speaking, but because it gives them the chance to speak their minds about an important issue.

"Whenever I have the opportunity to speak and have other people listen to me, I'll use it because it's a wonderful (way) to make an impact on others," she said.

Moses explained that her essay addresses this year's theme by focusing on the fact that the key to achieving peace is to have a unified community.

"I feel that we're very selfish and don't take out time to consider the needs of others. If we continue in this way we'll come into chaos," she said.

Other students, such as third-year political theory student Manuel Martinez, entered the contest primarily for fun. He added that this is an opportunity to expose people to a topic they do not normally discuss.

"I think that the one thing that's made it more exciting is that I had the support of my friends. They seem to be excited, and it opens more dialogue," he said.

For some entrants, one experience with the contest is not enough. Finalist Joshua Smith has participated for three years in a row.

"I enjoy speaking and am compelled by Dr. King's message," explained Smith, a third-year American literature and cultures student.

Although tonight's event marks the end of many weeks worth of writing and judging, the final contenders were compelled by their own life experiences, including religious experiences and civic duty, to participate. Moses said that her Christian faith helped her in writing her essay.

"My main drive is not to compete, but the love I have for the Lord Jesus Christ ­ and that's what motivates me," she said.

Smith looked to King's "I Have a Dream" speech for inspiration and explained that people should take the time to listen to its message.

"I saw his biblical allusions and brought out the meaning of what he said," he said.

As a result of entering the oratorical contest, the finalists realized that King has made a lasting impression on their lives. Martinez explained that to him, King's ideals are not centered only on African Americans, but that they transcend to everyone.

"I think because I'm not African American, I look at not necessarily the black struggle, but at civil rights ­ how it extends to all races," he said.

Smith stressed that even though he died many years ago, King's words still ring true today.

"They didn't die with the man," he said.