Bryan High’s Living the Dream Team competes in the Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream competition in January every year at the Holland Performing Arts Center.

Students in seventh-12th grade from schools around the Omaha Metro area compete. They choose a category that relates to social problems in the world they are passionate about and encourage Martin Luther King Jr.’s values. They prepare original pieces to perform for judges, which nclude speeches, vocal and instrumental music, dance and poetry. They compete for trophies and cash prizes, but that is not all that motivated this year’s competitors.

Sophomore Andrea Chaparro competed in the Spoken Word: Reaching Our Potential as a Society category. She talked about her perspective on feminism and the double standards that are implemented on a woman’s life.

“I’m a very big advocate for women’s rights,” Chaparro said. “I feel there’s no need for someone to be telling me that I can’t do something simply because of my gender — because I’m a girl. Going up there on stage just proves that I can do this, no matter who I am, no matter where I come from.”

Junior Bernadine Ambatobe competed in two catergories — Spoken Word: Positive Peer Culture and Vocal Music. She sang an original piece and read a poem about mental halth.

Mr. (Nicholas) Clawson, my teacher, ever since freshman year he’s brought it (mental health) up and made it sound interesting. Because he believed in it and said I could do it, I became inspired and passionate about it.”

Sophomore Gabriela Moran-Zinzun competed in Spoken Word: Anti Racism.

“My topic is about immigration; how immigrants are really ridiculed in the United States and how we can appreciate them more in the kind of issues that they go through,” Moran-Zinzun said. “What inspired me was my dad. Both of my parents are immigrants, but he went through really hard endeavors just to be here … I hate seeing people saying all this stuff about immigrants, saying that they’re horrible criminals when that’s not the truth.”

Each competitor expressed feelings of confidence about the competition.

“I have practiced day and night,” Ambatobe said. “I performed in several classes with bigger audiences. I’ve had to memorize it over and over and sometimes had to perform it in small crowds outside of school.”

This is not students’ first year competing. They had experience to build off of and guide them.

“This year, I’m less nervous about having to perform in front of people … I’m a little bit more confident because I know what it feels like now,” Moran-Zinzun said. “Last year, I think I would have placed better if I memorized my piece, so that’s been a priority for me this year.”

When preparing, students had support from family, teachers and friends. Working with others further helped them prepare.

“I had to work with my teacher, Mr. Clawson, because he’s been a really good mentor in all this,” Chaparro said. “He directed me to what I should talk about, and he’s a good support emotionally because he really believes I can do this … working with Gabby too, she’s my best friend in this, and being able to go with her every year makes it feel real and special.”

Contestants had from the end of the last competition to early November to prepare. The time span gives them time to face any challenges along the way, like balancing their school work and creating a piece under four minutes.

“The biggest challenge is having so much to say and not being able to say it all,” Chaparro said. “If I could, it would go on for like 20 minutes.”

Each competitor had their own personal goals and expectations.

“My personal goal from this competition is to never give up and continue to face your fears,” Ambatobe said. “No matter how big the audience is, no matter who’s watching, who’s not watching behind or in front of the screens, just continue to be confident and yourself.”

Participating in this competition taught the team new things.

“It’s taught me about performing in front of people,” Moran-Zinzun said. “It’s also taught me a lot about the fundamentals of finding your real passion.”

These members are in this club for a variety of reasons.

“I’m in this club because I’m passionate about the history of life and why lives matter,” Ambatobe said. “I’m passionate about what happened in our history. I’m interested in knowing and learning more about colored people and what they went through and how it has affected and impacted us now in the modern day.”

This competition provides opportunities for competitors.

“I think it’s really important, especially in this time that we’re living in with everything going on in the world,” Moran-Zinzun said. “Being able to represent and show different issues going on, being able to have that impact especially at our age is something really important

… this is one of those things that help young people make an impact and change the world.”