Pastor Johnathan Bass (third from left) and scholarship recipients.

Mt. Nebo (Ms.) Oratorical Scholarship Contest

              Baldwyn, MS—Mount Nebo CME understands that preparing students for the future takes a community effort.  On Saturday, April 27, 2013, the church sponsored its first Oratorical Scholarship Contest.  The contest was open to all graduating seniors from Mount Nebo, and the students were given the topic “My Future Looks Brighter Because...”   Students were required to write a 4 to 5 minute speech, memorize it, and present it to an audience.  
    “We believe in investing in our kids,” said Pastor Johnathan Bass.  As graduating seniors prepare for college and life, Mount Nebo views the oratory experience as another opportunity to develop future leaders by fostering their ability to be prepared, to think, and to speak clearly.  For participants Faith Shelley and Antonio Price, it was their very first time to present a speech from memory.  Kelsey Agnew said, "Mount Nebo's Oratorical Contest was a wonderful experience to improve my public speaking ability, and this experience will have a major impact on future speaking endeavors.”  Other seniors who participated in the contest were Dominique Hicks, Shantierra Eades, and Krissa Grice.  
With 11 graduating seniors in the 2013 class, Mount Nebo is proud of each one, and has already begun planning to make the Oratorical Scholarship Contest an annual event.