ORATORICAL
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. 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 Samuel G. Cooke, American Legion Post 267, sponsors a post oratorical competition each year.
Eligibility
Eligible participants in The American Legion High Oratorical Contest shall be citizens of or lawful residents of the United States.
All contestants must be bona fide students herein described as any student under the age of twenty (20) years of age on the date of the National Contest who is presently enrolled in a high school or junior high school (public, parochial, military, private or state accredited home school) in which the curriculum of said high school is considered to be a high school level. Students must be enrolled in high school or junior high school during the time of participation at any level of The American Legion's CONSTITUTIONAL SPEECH CONTEST.
The Oration
The subject to be used for the eight to ten minute Prepared Oration to the Constitutional Speech Contest must be on some aspect of the Constitution of the United States which will give emphasis on the duties and obligations of a citizen to our government. The same subject and oration used in the Post Contest must be used at the District, Department, must be used in the National Contest.
Contestants must give an oration on an assigned topic 3-5 minutes in length. Assigned topics shall be selected at each level of the Constitutional Speech contest from the following:
Article 4, Section 3, paragraph 1
Article 5
Amendment 5
Amendment 6
If you are interested in participating in The American Legion Oratorical Contest or more information on this program, please contact Post Chairperson, Jeannette Shaw (706) 682-8305
