ROSWELL—The Archdiocese of Atlanta Catholic schools held their annual oratorical competition on May 2 at Blessed Trinity High School, Roswell. The event, sponsored by the Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial organization, marked the district round of the competition. Participants had first won their individual school level competition, earning the right to proceed to district level. After two semifinal rounds, six finalists were selected from 16 schools.

The topic for this year’s competition was: What does it mean to be a hero? Competitors interpreted the topic in their own way, often referencing those whom they believe best display heroism. For some, Mother Teresa exemplified this trait, while others found inspiration in Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani campaigner for girls’ education, and Anthony Sadler, Spencer Stone and Alek Skarlatos, who stopped a terrorist attack while aboard a high-speed train en route to Paris from Amsterdam.

The first-place winner was Sara Jane Shulman, of Our Lady of the Assumption School, Atlanta; second-place winner was Joelle Miller, of Queen of Angels School, Roswell; and the third-place winner was Schaefer Hogan, of Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Atlanta.