ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Students housed in Maryland Juvenile Services facilities across the state are speaking out - in an oratorical contest.
The Maryland Court of Appeals is hosting the annual event Wednesday in Annapolis. It's sponsored by the state departments of juvenile services and education.
The contestants are the winners of speech contests at the state's 14 juvenile facilities. They're delivering 3-to-5-minute speeches they wrote, based on the inspirational poem, "The Victor," By C.W. Longnecker.
Court of Appeals Judge Clayton Greene Jr. says the event offers contestants a chance to interact with the courts in a positive way and have their voices heard at the highest level.