Miami, Jan. 26, 2026 – Miami Dade College (MDC), in partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), will host the 50th Annual Theodore Gibson Oratorical Regionals Competition on Wednesday, January 28, and Thursday, January 29, 2026, marking five decades of student voice, leadership, and civic engagement.
Top student orators from across Miami-Dade County Public Schools will compete in this milestone event, showcasing their public speaking skills and thoughtful perspectives on issues impacting their communities. Students will compete across five grade-level categories: Kindergarten–2nd grade, 3rd–4th grade, 5th grade, 6th–8th grade, and 9th–12th grade.
The regional competition will be held at two locations:
- Wednesday, January 28
Miami Dade College North Campus
11380 N.W. 27th Avenue, Room 3249 - Thursday, January 29
Gibson Education Center
3629 Grand Avenue (Multipurpose Room
“In celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Theodore Gibson Oratorical Competition, we honor not only an extraordinary legacy, but also the power of student voice,” said Fermin Vazquez, President of Miami Dade College’s North Campus. “This competition encourages young people to think critically, speak confidently, and engage meaningfully with their communities, skills that are essential to leadership, civic responsibility, and lifelong success.”
“We remain committed to Father Gibson’s charge, ‘Teach the children to communicate … that is the key.’ “We are happy to provide a space for our students to find their voice,” shared committee member Carlton Daley.
Now in its 50th year, the Theodore Gibson Oratorical Competition continues to reflect the enduring partnership between MDC and M-DCPS, providing students with a platform to build confidence, sharpen communication skills, and engage in thoughtful civic dialogue.
For more information, please contact Carlton Daley at (305) 237-1333 or cdaley@mdc.edu.
MDC Media Contact: Norma Ardila, 305-237-3607, nardila@mdc.edu.
This and other MDC releases are available at news.mdc.edu.