(Jan. 14, 2024) From American Legion press releases
The American Legion Oratorical Contest is under way, with the First District round scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, at the Lee S. Jones Convention Center in Eddyville.
The purpose of The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program “A Constitutional Speech 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.
Three levels of awards are presented through district, state and national competition. The national winner receives $25,000, second place $22,500 and third $20,000.
Each first-round winner who advances but does not qualify for the finals receives $2,000 award to be applied to the cost of college attendance. Competition is held in each of the seven American
Each individual state winner certified into and participating in the first round of the national contest receives a $2,000 scholarship.
Oratorical scholarship recipients will be eligible to receive their scholarships upon enrollment to an accredited trade school, college, or university within the United States. All scholarship claims are a two-party check: to the student AND the school.
Scholarship recipients must utilize the total award within eight (8) years, excluding active military duty or religious mission.
Additionally, the winner of the National Oratorical Contest will travel to join the Youth Champion Delegation of The American Legion that is honored each August at the annual National Convention of The American Legion.
The purpose of The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program “A Constitutional Speech 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 First District consists of Posts in Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken and Trigg counties.
The convention center address is 510 SR 93 South, Eddyville, KY 42038. For more information, contact First District coordinator Mark (usmc1965@bellsouth.net) or (270) 752-3333.
