The finals are set for the 73rd National Oratorical Contest, which will be webcast live at 10 a.m. EDT today at www.legion.org [2].

Elizabeth Blessing of Auburn, Ala.; Victoria Black of Iva, S.C.; and Brooke Conner of Bridport, Vt., advanced through Saturday's quarterfinal and semifinal rounds and will compete for first place and an $18,000 college scholarship on Sunday. Besides the $18,000 top award, the second- and third-place finishers receive $16,000 and $14,000 scholarships, respectively.

Also advancing through the quarterfinal round where Derek Schulze of Warrenton, Mo.; Kelsey Marsolek of Independence, Wis.; Mitchell Murdock of Kingston, Wash.; Madison Kircher of Queensbury, N.Y.; Aleksandr Fedyszyn of Wheeling, West Va.; and Christina Sauer of Corydon, Ind. (representing Kentucky).