Department of Ohio Oratorical Contest

First of all, I would like to thank all the contestants who participated in yesterday's American Legion Department of Ohio Oratorical Contest. All of you did a fabulous job!
Unfortunately, we can only select one winner to send forward to National. In this case, congratulations go out to Emily Schutte from District 3. While only one candidate will be identified to National as our final winner, the department also recognizes second place: Emma Sedlack from District 13. Congratulations to Emily and District 3 chairs, Bill Carpenter and Melissa Fowle, as well as Emma and District 13 chair Dr. John Betterson!
I would also like to thank all of the judges (Faye Spangler, Judy Pearson, Patric Leedom, Malcolm Glasglow and John Life), tabulators (Lynne Bayley, Tony Moore and Molly Doss) and our timekeeper (Gary Minado). This contest could not have happened without your help!
I also would like to thank my American Legion Post 194 commander, David Charpentier. David introduced us to the Zoom application and administered it on Wednesday for testing, Thursday for troubleshooting with the judges and contestants, and Friday for the entire day allowing for a successful, first-ever "virtual" Department Oratorical Scholarship Contest.
I would also like to thank our district chairmen, who went above and beyond in helping make this event discoverable so our young men and women could take advantage of this rare opportunity, and had the heavy task of coordinating recent activities amidst a pandemic. Lynne and Tony, you picked up a lot of the behind-the-scenes work that also played a major role in this successful event. Thank you both.
Last but not least, I want to thank Christie White for her support, as a member of the Americanism Committee. In addition to this vital program, she is juggling a number of other similar programs to ensure they get the attention they deserve while we continue to battle the war against the coronavirus.
As a reminder to our candidates, in addition to cash awards for placing first and second, all of you will receive a plaque and flag set for your participation, as well as an additional, smaller monetary award for placing below second place.

John Looker
American Legion Department of Ohio
Oratorical/Scholarship Chairman