Oratorical Contest

Each year thousands of high school and home school students gain a deeper understanding of the U.S. Constitution and share that knowledge with a vast audience through the American Legion High School Oratorical Contest. Hundreds of students win scholarship awards at the Post level for speeches that explore the substance and meaning of the Constitution. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, the rights and privileges of American citizenship.

The contest consists of a Prepared Oration and an Assigned Topic with specific time constraints. State and local contests run annually from December to March, culminating at the national level in April. In Connecticut, Posts participating in this contest conduct the initial program by the end of January and send the winner onto their district. The District competition will be held during the first two weeks of February. The seven district winners compete for the State Title on March 2, 2013 at Goodwin College. The State Winners receive cash awards, First Place: $1500; Second Place: $1000 and 3rd-7th: $500. The Connecticut champion then competes at the national competitions at University Place Conference Center in Indianapolis, In. The top three scholarships are for $14,000, $16,000 and $18,000. All state champions, who compete are awarded a minimum of $1500. For more information: legion.org search Oratorical.

All Connecticut high schools should have pertinent details about this contest by November 1st. If your high school does not have any information about this program, please contact Mary-Ann Roczynski at 860-569-7006 or Roczynsm@sbcglobal.net for assistance.