By Prince William County Alumnae Deltas
The Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (PWCAC-DST) will celebrate its 41st annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Youth Oratorical Competition and Program on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at 11 a.m. (Doors open at 10 a.m.) This year’s event will be held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 18410 Chapel St, Triangle, Va. (off Route One, near Quantico MCB). Middle school and high school students from throughout the Prince William County area will display their amazing oratorical skills and children of all ages will sing songs of celebration in the MLK Youth Community Choir.
Beginning in 1985, this free event is one of the oldest and largest celebrations of Dr. King’s legacy in the D.C. metro area. The oratorical contest celebrates students’ creative thinking and public speaking skills as well as the oratorical legacy of Dr. King. The topic for this year’s orators is, “Awakening the Dream: Breaking Barriers in the Fight for Justice and Unity.” Six regional competition winners will take the stage. The community is invited to attend and bear witness to the inspiring speech content and delivery of Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park students. If past years are an indication, the speeches will be captivating and the MLK Youth Community choir and other youth participants will make this celebration an impactful experience for the community.
In addition to listening to amazing speeches and cheering on this year’s contestants, community choir, and dancers from Divine Inspirations, attendees can participate in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Please bring non-perishable food items to support local food pantries in their mission to mitigate hunger. Small business vendors and community outreach organizations will also be on site and available at 10 a.m. and after the program.
For more information on the 41st annual MLK program, Day of Service donations and Youth community choir participation, visit www.pwcacdst.org/mlk or register on Eventbrite. A Snow date has been scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, same time and location.
The Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a sisterhood of college-educated women, actively engaged in programs of public service. Chartered in December 1984, this commitment is demonstrated by more than 40 years of sisterhood, scholarship, service, and social action in Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park. For more information, please visit www.pwcacdst.org.