Archway Scottsdale Student’s Oratory Triumph from Bard to Douglass 

Varsh Varun, a fifth-grade student at Archway Scottsdale, recently achieved an impressive milestone by securing second place in the Frederick Douglass Oratorical Contest, a prestigious competition conducted by the National Park Service.

Varun’s experience with competitive public speaking began last year when he participated in the Great Hearts Bard Competition, where he finished as a runner-up in the finals. “I was just extremely happy that entire night,” he recalled. The event sparked his interest in oration, and he was ready to explore a new challenge. His mother discovered the Frederick Douglass Oratorical Contest, and he eagerly signed up.

The competition required participants to deliver a speech from a selection of Frederick Douglass’s historical addresses. After careful consideration, he chose to recite the conclusion of “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Varun explained that he was drawn to this powerful speech delivered by Douglass at Corinthian Hall in Rochester, New York. “I chose the conclusion because it powerfully encapsulates how Frederick Douglass opposed slavery and features William L. Garrison’s ‘Triumph of Freedom,’” he added.

On the day of the competition, he delivered his speech in front of a panel of twelve judges and a National Park Service officer. “Once I was done, the National Park Service officer gave me really good feedback” Varun shared. “He really liked my speech. I told my mom this and I was really looking forward to seeing what the results were.”

His delivery left a strong impression, and two weeks later, he learned that he had placed second in the competition.

“When I saw this, I was so happy,” Varun said. “They said they would even deliver to me a plaque. They also invited me to visit Frederick Douglass’s Cedar Hill home in Washington, D.C., on July 5^th.” He said he and his family are really looking forward to the historic trip.

Varun’s achievement highlights his dedication to public speaking and his appreciation for history. His success in this competition serves as an inspiration to his peers, showing them the power of perseverance and the impact of eloquent speech. As he prepares for his visit to Cedar Hill, Varun looks forward to more opportunities to develop his skills and share his voice with the world.

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