Jack and Jill High School Speech Participants Receive Stillman College Scholarship

Stillman College proudly hosted the Alabama/Mississippi Super Cluster of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated on March 28. The campus was filled with more than 200 children, teens, and parents for a day filled with competition, community, and celebration.

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The organization has “271 chapters nationwide, representing more than 50,000 family members, and through service projects, Jack and Jill of America, Inc. creates a medium of contact for children to stimulate their growth and development.”

One of the highlights of the day was the Super Cluster's Speak Up & Speak Out and the Ann Owen Gordon Oratorical Competition.

Serving as a judge, I had the privilege of hearing a dynamic range of speeches that showcased their poise and confidence. Each speaker approached the theme, Black to the Future: Powered by Legacy, Driven by Vision,” with a distinct voice and message.

Some students drew from personal experiences, others explored powerful historical influences, and one speaker cleverly paralleled the film Back to the Future, adding a creative twist to the theme.

Each speech carried its own power, but what stood out most was how students transformed creativity into a speech form that also delivered a thought-provoking message.

In an exciting surprise, Dr. Yolanda W. Page and Dr. Roland Bullard, Jr., Vice President for Student Success, presented scholarships to the competition's high school participants. A great reminder of Stillman’s enduring commitment to investing in the next generation of leaders.