![](media/image1.png){width="1.2847222222222223in"
height="1.4in"}**United States Department of the Interior**

National Park Service

National Capital Parks-East

1900 Anacostia Drive, S.E.

Washington, DC 20020

IN REPLY REFER TO:

Frederick Douglass NHS

1411 W St. SE

Washington, DC 20020

Dear Friends of the National Park Service:

Each year the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (FDNHS) sponsors
an oratorical contest open to students across the country. During the
contest participants are asked to recite an excerpt from one of
Frederick Douglass\' speeches. Other guidelines for the contest are
enclosed.

FDNHS is dedicated to the legacy of one of America\'s greatest
abolitionists, orators, suffragists, and civil rights activists.
Frederick Douglass lived at Cedar Hill, now FDNHS, from 1877 until his
death in 1895. He served as U.S. Marshal and Recorder of Deeds for
Washington, D.C., Minister to Haiti, and adviser to five U.S.
Presidents. It was at his Cedar Hill home that he wrote his
autobiography \"The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass\" and many
other memorable speeches and articles.

It is the mission of the National Park Service, the Frederick Douglass
Memorial and Historical Association, Frederick Douglass Housing
Corporation, and many others to continue his worthy legacy. We hope that
you, too, will join in the effort to share this history by sponsoring a
contest within your school and sending three of your winning students to
compete during the week of December 4, 2006, with other participants
here at FDNHS.

In February of 2007 the winners will be invited back to FDNHS to
celebrate Douglass\' birthday and will receive recognition of their
accomplishments, as well as their school\'s participation. Enclosed is
pertinent information about the contest and an entry form. *Please
contact program coordinators Eola Dance for applications and additional
information at (202) 426-5961.*

Sincerely,

Julie Galonska

Site Manager

Frederick Douglass NHS

# Frederick Douglass

> Annual Oratorical Contest
>
> December 4, 2006 -- December 8, 2006

SPONSOR: Frederick Douglass National Historic Site

National Capital Parks-East, National Park Service

CO- SPONSOR: Frederick Douglass Housing Corporation

THEME: Frederick Douglass: Thoughts for All Time:

> America\'s Great Orator
>
> Contestants should address the breadth of Frederick Douglass\' life
> and oratorical abilities by reciting an excerpt of a speech written
> and delivered by Frederick Douglass.

RESPOND BY: November 30th

ELIGIBILITY: Elementary, Jr. High, and Sr. High Students

GUIDELINES: Contestants should memorize an excerpt of any speech by
Frederick Douglass. Copies of the speeches must be obtained from a
source other than the Frederick Douglass NHS.

A contestant who delivers a speech shorter or longer than the allocated
time will be charged minus points, but will **NOT** be disqualified. **A
contestant who reads their speech from note cards, paper, etc...WILL be
disqualified**. Contestants should submit title, source and a photocopy
of selected oration by indicated response date, along with an entry
form. Contestants should be accompanied by a parent, teacher or
principal.

LENGTH OF PRESENTATION:

**\* PLEASE NOTE CHANGES IN GRADE LEVEL**

## 

## **[SCHOOL]{.underline} [GRADES]{.underline} [TIME]{.underline}**

#### Elementary (1-5) 1-4 minutes

### Junior High (6-8) 5-8 minutes

### Senior High (9-12) 9-12 minutes

### 

PRIZES: Prizes will be awarded to the winners in each category

> Elementary (1-5), Jr. High (6-8), and Sr. High (9-12).
>
> FIRST PRIZE: \$500.00 U.S. Savings bond, plaque, and a certificate.
>
> SECOND PRIZE: \$300.00 U.S. Savings bond, plaque, and a certificate.
>
> THIRD PRIZE: \$200.00 U.S. Savings bond, plaque, and a certificate.
>
> A CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION IS AWARDED TO ALL CONTESTANTS.

JUDGING: Refer to guidelines.

> All decisions by the judges are FINAL.

Each school will be limited to 3 contestants and 1 alternate student in
case of illness.

> Students will deliver their oration in competition with other students
> on the following dates:
>
> **ELEMENTARY STUDENTS**- **Monday and Tuesday**
>
> **JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS- Wednesday and Thursday**
>
> **SENIOR HIGH STUDENTS- Friday**

LOCATION Frederick Douglass National Historic Site's

> Visitor Center
>
> 1411 W. Street, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20020,

BEGINNING 10:30 a.m. (PROMPTLY)

SUBMISSSION: Frederick Douglass National Historic Site

1411 W. Street, S.E.

Washington, D.C. 20020

Please contact the site with questions and concerns at 202-426-5961.

**Frederick Douglass National Historic Site**

**Annual Oratorical Contest**

**Entry Form for Students and Alternates**

Name\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Age\_\_\_\_Grade\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Home
Address\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Phone (
)\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

SSN\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

City\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ State\_\_\_\_\_\_ Zip
Code\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Parent/Guardian's
Name\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

School\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

School
Address\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

School
Telephone\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Teacher
Name\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Title of Speech and
Source\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT AND COMPLETE THE ENTRY FORM IN ITS ENTIRETY.

###### Please submit completed form and any attachments by

##### November 30th

Mail: Frederick Douglass NHS

1411 W Street, S.E.

Washington, D.C. 20020

or

Fax (202) 426-0880