The American Legion’s National Oratorical Contest challenges high school students to explore and understand the U.S. Constitution while developing confidence, leadership and communication skills. Since 1938, the program has prepared young people for citizenship through critical thinking and public speaking. The top three finalists in the national contest, held in Hillsdale, Mich., win $25,000, $22,500 and $20,000 respectively.
The 2026 National Oratorical Contest will be held Saturday, May 16-17, on the campus of Hillsdale College, where all department winners will be divided into nine groups for the quarterfinals. The competitors will give a prepared eight- to 10-minute oration on the U.S. Constitution and a three- to five-minute oration on an assigned topic discourse – a phase of the Constitution selected from Articles and Sections – in front of judges and family members. The top 18 will advance to the semifinal round to again present their prepared oration and assigned topics.
Following the semifinal round, the top three finalists will advance to the final competition at 10 a.m. ET Sunday, May 17.
Learn more at https://www.legion.org/get-involved/youth-programs/oratorical-contest.