Windsor Village Elementary School on the city's southwest side, finished in second place for a speech that focused on ending mass shootings and avoiding war with North Korea. Defending champion Nhedrick Jabier, of Crespo Elementary School on the city's southeast side, earned third place following his speech about achieving dreams that seem impossible.

Tchanori received a $1,000 prize, while Caleb took home $500, Nhedrick got $300 and the remaining competitors were awarded $100 each. The judges were University of Houston Law School Dean Leonard Baynes, U.S. District Court Judge George Hanks Jr., EEOC District Office Director Rayford Irvin, KTRK-TV anchor Melanie Lawson and NAACP Houston Chapter Executive Director Yolanda Smith.

In the finals, students often focused on promoting equality, reducing violence and avoiding international conflicts. Several addressed current events, suchas the mass killings in Las Vegas and Orlando, escalating tensions with North Korea and the presidency of Donald Trump.

"We've heard some of it in the past, and we want them to do that," said Claude Treece, the event's chairman and CEO of Gardere, the competition's sponsor. "There are many current events that have gotten attention in the media and people who care about those things. Kids pick up on that, and I'm glad that they think about that."

A message of understanding and unity was behind each speech, regardless of the political influence. Shawn Ward, a student at Pleasantville Elementary School on the city's east side, drew loud applause after his speech about compassion.

"We have forgotten that compassion is a sign of strength, not weakness," Ward said. "We