Two Sandwich Central School fifth graders present historic speeches in DC

SANDWICH — The Ford’s Theatre Oratory Fellows Program empowers fifth-grade students at Sandwich Central School with essential public speaking skills. Throughout the year, students hone their pace, emphasis, diction, tone, volume, posture, eye contact, and presence to make learning the art of oratory both engaging and impactful. 

Taught collaboratively by SCS Performing Arts Teacher and Ford’s Theatre Fellow Emma Dassori, and a Ford’s Theatre Teaching Artist, this partnership elevates teaching, mentoring, and curriculum development to new heights. 

For three years Dassori, the only Ford’s Theatre Oratory Fellow in New England, has brought this program to Sandwich Central School and the Inter-Lakes School District. In addition to mini speeches in class, fifth-grade students were encouraged to participate in the Oratory Festival. Students could choose a historical speech and compete for the opportunity to join students from around the country in Washington, D.C. for a Ford’s Theatre Oratory national delegate retreat.

Two students were chosen by outside judges to attend — Otis Drapcho and Evan Wholley. 

Wholley presented Denzel Washington’s University of Pennsylvania Commencement Speech titled “Fall Forward” and Drapcho presented “I Wish You Bad Luck,” by Supreme Court Justice John Roberts for his commencement speech at Cardigan Mountain School in Canaan, New Hampshire.

In Washington, D.C., Drapcho and Wholley joined 18 other student delegates from across the country for an enriching experience. They explored museums, attended workshops, collaborated with fellow delegates, watched a play at Ford’s Theatre, and presented their speeches on two occasions.

The students presented their historical speeches at the public outdoor stage called the National Sylvan Theater and on the stage of Ford’s Theatre. 

“Both students did an outstanding job of representing our school and district, approached the experience in an open-minded, positive way and were willing to dive into all of the different experiences. I am very proud of the work they did and of their final presentation at Ford’s Theatre,” Dassori said.

For more information, visit interlakes.orginterlakes.org.