What Can I Do for Peace?
What Can I Actively Do to Cultivate a Peaceful Society?
A Speech Contest for Oahu Students Grades 9-11
Battleship Missouri Memorial
Click here for the contest flyer
General Contest Information
What: As part of our 80th Anniversary of the End of WWII Commemoration Events, the Battleship Missouri Memorial is hosting a speech contest for High School Students (Grades 9-11). The prompt and awards are directly below, along with additional information further below:
Prompt:
At the end of the ceremony to end World War II on September 2, 1945, held aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, Japan; General Douglas MacArthur said “Let us pray that peace be now restored to the world…” Now, 80 years later, that peace is being tested throughout the world. In a well-written, rehearsed speech of about 3 minutes in length, answer the question: “What can I do for peace? What Can I Actively Do to Cultivate a Peaceful Society?” and share what you can and will do for peace and the promotion of peace in our community. Give examples of your commitment to peace in our world and for our time.
Recording of speech must be 3 minutes long, including student’s image and audio of good quality. More criteria for the prompt and speech submission will be shared here soon.
Prizes:
Grand Prize
- Opportunity to read winning speech at 80th Anniversary - Commemorating the End of WWII on September 2
- VIP Tickets for 10 to the 80th anniversary End of WWII Commemoration Ceremony on September 2
- Speech published in commemorative 80th anniversary program
Top 3 Finalists
- VIP Tour passes for winner and up to 9 guests (to tour the Mighty Mo at a time and date of their choice)
- Feature on the ussmissouri.org page of student and speech
- Featured on the Battleship Missouri Memorial social media channels as a Student Peace Ambassador
- Invitation to the 80th anniversary of the End of WWII Commemoration Ceremony on September 2
- Author Signed copy of Pearl Harbor Child (Dorinda Nicholson)
Who: Private, public, or charter school students, Grades 9-11, associated with school on Oahu and with a teacher that can assist in preparing their speech.
When: The contest is open for submissions until April 25, 2025. Finalist students will be announced on May 5, 2025.
How: Apply here by filling out a Google Form. You will later submit your speech, by April 25, in MPV or MOV formats.
Reminder that the speech recording must be 3 minutes long, including the student’s image and audio of good quality.
Students MUST be willing to have their video submissions shared via Battleship social media platforms.
Email neily@ussmissouri.org for more information
Coming Soon:
Google Form
Judging Criteria Explanation
Teacher's Packet