Constitution Week begins next week.
The week of Sept. 17 is Constitution Week to celebrate the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. The American Legion supports this through its Oratorical Contest, a Constitutional speech contest for high school youth.
Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship.
The American Legion’s Oratorical Contest begins at the post, district and department level where competitors 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. Department winners will advance to the National Oratorical Contest held in Hillsdale, Mich., on the campus of Hillsdale College.
Each department (state) winner who participates in the national contest’s first round receives a $2,000 scholarship. The 18 semifinalists will receive an additional $2,000. And the three finalists will compete for first place and a $25,000 scholarship. Second and third place will earn $22,500 and $20,000 respectively.
As you go into schools to promote the Oratorical Contest download this one-page program flyer to give to teachers and administrators.
- Dispatch