County Prep High School junior Desiree Okonkwo, alongside Ms. Angelique Belle, co-founded the Bayonne Youth Center Black History Oratorical Competition. This new initiative, designed to celebrate and honor Black history, was implemented in the classrooms of schools across the Bayonne school district, giving students an opportunity to engage with and showcase their knowledge of Black history through speech and performance. The competition was met with enthusiasm, drawing over 70 applicants in its inaugural year, demonstrating a strong interest and commitment from the youth of the community.
The celebration of the winners was a resounding success, with key community and political leaders in attendance to support the students and the event. Students, educators, and community members gathered to recognize the hard work and talent of the participants. The competition not only highlighted the importance of Black history but also empowered the young voices of Bayonne. With the impressive turnout and positive feedback from the community, the competition is set to continue as an annual tradition, further solidifying its place as an impactful educational experience for the students of Bayonne. Desiree Okonkwo’s leadership in bringing this vision to life was especially celebrated, as her passion and dedication to empowering the youth of Bayonne were evident throughout the event!
