Welcome Message

It hasn ' t been easy , but our New Jersey Orators ( NJO ), a total volunteer organization , operating on small grants and membership dues has survived the last three years of the effects of COVID It required redesigning our programs and processes Yet , with our dedicated volunteers , new partners and continued support from sponsors and grantors , we have adapted our oratorical programming and added new components

Today ’ s luncheon celebrates the 38 th year for our youth organization enhancing youth education throughout the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania . We are proud to have positively impacted thousands of young boys ’and girls ’academic achievement in and out of school with the assistance and dedication of volunteer chapter coaches

Under the professional guidance of Zayna Allen , a journalist and Plainfield Chapter alumna , you will see examples of oratorical skills demonstrated by our graduating Seniors , as well as from those Orators yet to graduate from the Orators ' program You will also observe how alumni from chapters , such as Perth Amboy , Newark , New Brunswick and Lakewood , have grown up and applied these oratorical skills towards their careers in Law, Computer Technology, Politics, and Education, to name just a few

Before we close today with awards , Dr. Daniel Jean , Associate Provost for Special Programs , EOF and Academic Success at Montclair State University will offer a motivating message of how to achieve visionary success through scholarship. We hope that you students in the room will be motivated by his words . While you enjoy your lunch , we also hope you enjoy the entertainment we have for you. Listen to Laticia Lewis provide us with a masterful rendition played on her violin and hear two young Orators from our Plainfield Chapter deliver a Dramatic Duo entitled “Simon Says ”

Today , we will honor two volunteers by presenting them with our NJO Community Service Award Thomas Lukoma and Walter Young Jr are both parents of Orators Thomas has utilized his technical computer development skills to provide maintenance support for our web site Walter has been trained as an NJO Assistant Coach It is this personal giving of technical skills and expertise by our parents and the sacrifice of time and dedication of over 100 coaches that has helped us make it to 38 years in operation

Finally, we want to thank all our volunteers whose commitment to youth empowerment represent the service of many who have carried us this far and continue to guide our youth . Our NJO Coaches , without monetary reimbursement , provide annually over 4,695 hours of In -Kind service to our youth ! Just a fraction of their impact can be seen on the Senior Wall of Fame showcased tonight.

Our theme this year is “Developing Your Vision Through Scholarship ." The meaning of this theme means to take the initiative and use scholarship to move forward to achieve your vision Our Orators use confidence and commitment to work hard , reassess the situation , adjust and move forward to meet their vision Also , we want to thank the 38 th Anniversary Planning Committee who helped to make this program a success: Janet Amankwah, Marcia Mitchell-Samura; and the New Jersey Orators Executive Board