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The American Legion

Oratorical Contest

The purpose of the American Legion’s National High School Oratorical contest is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students. The Contest also strives to aid in the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently.

The winners of the National Contest will receive scholarship awards in the amount of:

1st place – $20,000          2nd place – $17,000           3rd place – $15,000

The contest is open to all high school students, both male and female, that meet the following criteria:

  • Citizens of the United States, or lawful permanent residents of the United States
  • All contestants must be bona fide students under the age of twenty years old on the date of the National Contest, April 17-19, who are presently enrolled in a high school, or junior high school
  • All participants must be enrolled in grades 9 through 12

The contest consists of the following:

  1. A prepared oration (can be prepared at home) the subject of which must be on some phase of the Constitution of the United States which will give emphasis to the attendant duties and obligations of a citizen of our government. Discourse must be a minimum of eight (8) minutes in length and a maximum of ten (10) minutes.
  2. An assigned topic discourse will be drawn by the contest officials in full view of the audience. The topic will be one of the below listed Amendments to the Constitution:
    1. Amendment XII – Electoral College
    2. Amendment XXIV – Citizens right to vote shall not be denied by the United Sates or any State by reason of failure to pay poll or other tax
    3. Amendment XXVII – No law, varying the compensation for the services of senators and representatives, shall take effect, until an election of representatives shall have intervened
    4. Amendment XX – terms of President and Vice President. When Congress shall assemble. Articles of Presidential succession.
  3. The assigned topic discourse must a minimum of three (3) minutes in length and a maximum of five (5) minutes.

To enter the contest please contact our office: (949) 673-5070

For more information please contact:
Jim Updike, 3rd Vice Commander
jeusail@gmail.com
(949) 589-2498