Each fall, 10th graders research and write a "Soapbox Speech," addressing the question, "What is one issue that I care about in my community?" This past December, students delivered their final speeches in advisory and to the full grade. Ten student speakers, chosen by their peers, represented Burke at Mikva Challenge DC's Project Soapbox: Ayla M. '26, Carson A. '26, Elena M. '26, Ethan F. '26, Johnny V. '26, Matilda P. '26, Maya D. '26, Sydney J. '26, Taylor S. '26, and Tony C. '26.
At the citywide Project Soapbox, students delivered their speeches in different rooms at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. Judges and audiences from each room then selected two speeches for the mainstage. Congratulations to Maya D. '26, who was chosen to share her speech ("The importance of honest and accurate education about race in America from a young age") on the mainstage for a panel of DC change-makers and civic engagement partners.