Press Release:Â “The Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (PWCAC-DST) will host its 39th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Youth Oratorical Competition on Monday, January 15 at 11 a.m.”
“This year’s event will be held at Charles J. Colgan Senior High School, 13833 Dumfries Road, Manassas. Middle school and high school students from throughout the Prince William County area will display their oratorical skills and children of all ages will sing songs of celebration in the Martin Luther King Community Choir.”
“This free event is one of the oldest and largest celebrations of Dr. King’s legacy in the Washington metro area. The community is invited to attend.”
“This year’s speech topic, ‘If America is to remain a great nation, we must …’ is based on Dr. King’s famous ‘I Have a Dream Speech’, delivered on August 28, 1963, before 250,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial.”
“In addition to to speeches and this year’s community choir, and the Manassas Park High School Drumline, attendees can participate in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service by bringing ready-to-eat items or microwave-and-eat items and donating to the work of Northern Virginia Food Rescue and its mission to improve food resiliency and accessibility for the entire region.”
“The MLK Experience will also feature a STEAM Speaker Series on February 10 at Forest Park High School; a Wellness Walk on Saturday, April 6 at Prince William Forest Park; and a celebration on April 28 at Gainesville Senior High School in remembrance of the life of Dr. King and to recap the activities of the PWCAC MLK Experience.”
“For more information on the January 15 annual oratorical competition and program, Day of Service donations, community choir participation, and other MLK Experience activities visit pwcacdst.org or register on Eventbrite.”
In case of snow, the event will be rescheduled to Saturday, January 20, 2024.
Recent Stories
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a double homicide following the discovery of two deceased individuals in a Heatherwood Drive residence about two miles from Courtland High School.
Investigators are mum about how they died.Â
On Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., deputies responded to a call from a concerned individual who reported not having heard from a friend. Upon visiting the residence in the 10800 block of Heatherwood Drive, the caller entered the home and discovered a female’s body. They exited and contacted the Spotsylvania County 911 call center.
Patricia A. Healy, the longest-serving member in the history of the Stafford County School Board, celebrated a remarkable milestone on January 14, 2025—25 years of dedicated service to Stafford County Public Schools. First elected to represent the Rock Hill District in 2000, Healy has since become a pillar of leadership and advocacy for education in the community.
In a special recognition at the school board meeting, Healy was lauded for her steadfast commitment to students, families, and educators. Over the course of her tenure, Healy has served alongside 33 board members and held leadership roles, including seven years as chair and one year as vice chair. Her guidance has been instrumental in navigating the board through significant growth, challenges, and transformations within the school system.
This week, we’re thrilled to host Dr. Babur Lateef, Chairman of the Prince William County School Board, and Jennifer Wall, Gainesville District Representative, for an engaging discussion on the state of education in Prince William County on the next Potomac Local News Podcast.
Rania Lateef, a senior at Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School and the Governor’s School @ Innovation Park, daughter of Prince William School Board Chairman Babur Lateef, has been named one of 40 finalists in the prestigious 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS). Selected from nearly 2,500 applicants nationwide, Rania is recognized for her groundbreaking research on the effects of artificial light and circadian disruption on biobehavioral systems in Drosophila melanogaster. Her work highlights the impact of sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances on physical and mental health.
Rania credited her success to the supportive academic community of Prince William County Public Schools, her teachers Stephanie Brown and Dr. Alexis Patanarut, and her unique opportunities at GS@IP. As a finalist, she has already won $27,000 and will compete for additional awards totaling over $1.8 million during a week-long event in Washington, D.C., in March 2025. Rania’s journey emphasizes the power of passion and commitment in achieving meaningful scientific discoveries.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
