Sha-von Daniels of the Calvary Baptist Church in Salt Lake City won the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education's Oratorical Contest on June 20 at its annual meeting in St. Louis, Mo.

"We just screamed and cried when we heard her number called," said Sha-von's proud mother, Sonja Daniels. "This has really been Sha-von's year."

Sha-von, a recent honors graduate from Waterford High School and seasoned speaker from her years of experience on debate teams from fourth until ninth grade, competed against contestants from across the United States, Africa and the Bahamas.

"My parents and Sister Peggy Wright from my church talked me into entering the competition," said Sha-von. "It was a lot of hard work, especially memorizing my speech. I was scared, but once I started speaking I was fine."

Sha-von based her winning speech, titled "The Heavenly Vision and Church Music" after the theme of the Congress and on the Bible verses, Ephesians 5: 18-21. Daniel's speech urged people to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, both new and traditional, rather than the foul, name-calling and belittling lyrics found in much of popular music today.

"Everyone understands music no mater what their age, race or religion," said Sha-von in her speech. "Music is the universal language of communication, and that's why it's so important."

Daniels gave her 600 word memorized speech before the National Baptist Congress Oratorical commission and then again before the more than 22,000 registered delegates of the National Congress' parent body.

"We stand a little taller and walk with more hope because Sha-von walks among us," said her Pastor France A. Daniels. "She will make her mark on our community and the society as an effective leader."

Daniels wowed the crowd with her speech.

One passing delegate said, " The audience was starting to fall asleep until they called the contestant from Utah. She was like electricity."

"We knew she could do it, and we are excited that she did it," said Harold O. Fields, president of the Intermountain General Baptist Convention (Utah, Idaho and Wyoming). "She's an impressive young lady."

Sha-von is using the $5,000 scholarship prize she was awarded to help pay for her tuition at the University of Utah where she is currently studying to be a teacher.

"I really love children," said Sha-von. "I want to give others the same kind of experience I had in schools."

One important lesson Sha-von learned for herself was the power one voice has.

"No matter how old you are and where you go," said Sha-von. "You have a voice. If you have something to say, others will listen."

Sha-von's message about the importance of uplifting music will become part of the lessons and ideas the delegates return to their congregations with, including the 25 delegates and three pastors representing the five Utah congregations, Calvary of Salt Lake City, New Zion of Ogden, Second of Ogden, True Vine of Kaysville, and Unity of Salt Lake City, attending the conference.

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E-mail: dramsay@desnews.com