Middle Schooler Earns National Recognition

Rising eighth-grader Caleb Cathey won the title of Mr. National Congeniality 2022 in a recitation competition sponsored by the National Youth Conference, an organization that serves to bring youth of common faith together through wholesome activities and workshops.  
 

Competing against students in four divisions, Caleb presented both an expository speech on the conference’s theme, “To Be Continued,” and for his talent presentation, he gave excerpts from Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech delivered during the 1963 March on Washington. 
 

As the titleholder, Caleb will be an ambassador for the National Youth Conference and will represent the organization in promotional videos, speaking engagements and appearances at other competitions. He has also been awarded a four-year scholarship to Oklahoma Christian University. 
 

Caleb’s victory keeps the Mr. National Congeniality award in the family, as his brother Noah ’24 was the previous winner. Noah has held the title since 2019, the last time the National Youth Conference could meet in person.  
 

The National Youth Conference is in its 70th year and hosts annual conventions across the United States. Conferences are held in cities across the country to provide greater opportunities for attendees from all regions. Its first national convention was held in Detroit and has been held two times in Texas, most recently in 1996. The 2022 conference was held in July on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.