Orators club helps youths build up self-confidence
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer

Members of the Freehold chapter of the New Jersey Orators placed first in the 2007 Spring Purple Competition of the statewide New Jersey Orators.

FREEHOLD - Children who are enrolled in the Freehold chapter of the New Jersey Orators program are getting a head start in life. The youngsters are learning life skills as well as how to present themselves in business situations.

The program is offered at the Court Street School Education Community Center.

The children in the Freehold chapter of the New Jersey Orators placed first in the 2007 Spring Purple Competition of the statewide New Jersey Orators held on April 21 in Somerset.

According to Retha Onitiri, who coaches the children with her husband, Dr. Tunde Onitiri, as well as Arthur Jackson and Melinda Ragin, the competition included rigorous judging on the children's oral presentations.

The Freehold chapter, which was formed five years ago, won first place in an event that included six other central New Jersey chapters comprising 54 young orators.

The Freehold chapter participants were Asyia Andrews, 13, of Millstone Township, Destinee Andrews, 12, of Mill-stone Township, Owanate Briggs, 17, of Holmdel, Jacqueline Jackson, 16, of Somerset, Samuel Lawrence, 8, of Monroe Township, Joshua Olayinka, 11, of Free-hold Borough, Adesola Onitiri, 13, of Millstone Township, and Shelby Ragin, 7, of Jackson.

The other members of the chapter are Miles Cardaro, 11, of Freehold Borough, and Dorian Wright, 11, of Freehold Borough. Jeremiah Olayinka, 6, who is just beginning his experience with the orators group, is waiting for his turn to be a part of the competition.

"Winning first place not only celebrates a level of accomplished excellence, but also the ongoing mission of the New Jersey Orators organization to develop public speaking skills, confidence and the unique talents of the participating youths ranging in age from 7 to 17," Onitiri said, adding that the program also helps the children to memorize and retain information better.

The orators competed in the following categories: dramatic interpretation, oral interpretation of poetry, oral interpretation of prose and original oratory.

The competition involved each orator speaking for no less than five minutes and no more than 10 minutes. Onitiri said the participants were judged on eye contact, voice projection, diction, knowledge of the piece and expression.

Jacqueline Jackson has been a member of the orators group from the beginning. The teenager, who used oral interpretation of prose for her competition entry, said the program is helping to enhance her speaking skills.

As part of her entry, Jacqueline had to give the history of her pieces, "It is Well With My Soul" by H.G. Spafford and "What A Friend We Have in Jesus," by Joseph Scriven. She also had to explain why the composers wrote the pieces and provide the scripture that supported them. In addition, she sang both hymns.

Jacqueline said the orators program also focuses on leadership skills that she said she is using right now as a student at Franklin High School, Franklin Township.

"It helps you if you want to run for a position in student government," she said. "Rather than sitting back and letting others lead, we can lead and take charge. It also teaches us to speak slowly and not to rush."

Adesola Onitiri said the program is "good for people our age." She said the skills she is learning will help her in college and in finding a job. "This program increases our self-confidence and keeps us from fading into the background."

Shelby Ragin loves being in the orators program, too. "If you can't speak well, you can't get a job," she said. "I'm here because I want to learn how."

Shelby chose an original piece of her own about tennis stars Venus Williams and Serena Williams.

Joshua Olayinka performed a dramatic interpretation of prose with his piece, "The Constellation Zoo."

Samuel Lawrence presented an original interpretation of poetry, "A Song of Thanks."

Lillie Hendry, president of the Board of Trustees of the Court Street School Education Community Center, said the orators program is important because it is critical for young people to learn to express themselves clearly and precisely.

"It also helps them to develop their own unique personality," she said.