Four Peoria Unified students emerged as first-place winners in the district’s 36th Annual Patriotic Speech Contest, March 2.

These students competed in front of their peers at their school sites earlier in the spring semester and advanced to the district level competition where they delivered their presentation in front of a group of judges.

For the contest, fifth- and sixth-grade students delivered a two-to-three-minute persuasive speech on one of several patriotic topics based on a prompt. Seventh- and eighth-grade students prepared a three-to-five-minute persuasive speech on patriotism.

The top winners in the 5th/6th grade division:

• 1st place winner in the AM Session: Jocelyn B. Tsinajinnie, Apache Elementary School

The top Patriotic Speech Contest winners in the 7th/8th grade division:

• 1st Place winner in the AM Session: Danica Dworshak, Coyote Hills Elementary School
• 1st Place winner in the PM Session: Christa Eboh, Copperwood Elementary School

Video highlights from the Patriotic Speech Contest will be available on the district’s website by April 1.