From 31 years to first timers, volunteers of The American Legion’s program on the U.S. Constitution are inspired by high school students who are engaged in civic responsibility.
American Legion volunteers are the core of the organization’s youth programs. They are at the post level supporting Boys State, Legion Baseball and the Oratorical Contest to engage high school students in civics, sportsmanship and government instruction while instilling patriotism and understanding of the cost of freedom. They volunteer their time, money and mentorship to continue their service to country by supporting tomorrow’s leaders.
This dedicated volunteerism was visible at the 2026 American Legion National Oratorical Contest: “A Constitutional Speech Contest” on Saturday, May 16, on the campus of Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Mich. As 53 high school participants, who won their respective American Legion post, district and department oratorical competition, found their assigned classroom for the quarterfinals, a face familiar to the program greeted them.
Tony Paternostro, Department of New York Oratorical chairman, is embarking on 31 years of volunteering with the National Oratorical Contest. The reason for his continued service is echoed by all Legion Family volunteers … “The kids,” said Paternostro, who serves as a contest moderator. “Just to see the young people reading our Constitution and researching it, I think it’s amazing. And it’s a great program where you meet an awful lot of great people.”
Paternostro joined The American Legion 48 years ago, and that’s when he was first introduced to the Oratorical Contest where students present a prepared oration on an aspect of the U.S. Constitution. And he immediately got involved at the post, county and department level. He gets students involved with the program through high school visitations and advertisements on local television stations.
“It’s important we get the students now into the contest to learn our Constitution because the schools are not teaching Americanism like they used to,” he said. “It seems like’s its faded away. But with this program, we keep it going.”
Dolores Krawczyk of Post 13 in Bennington, Vt., who is volunteering with the program for the first time, agrees. “As veterans, I just think about the patriotism and leadership that we are nurturing with these students. It’s amazing what they know about the Constitution from our program.”
This is the second year for Steven Pecinovsky of Post 24 in Johnson City, Tenn., to volunteer.
“This contest is amazing,” he said. “Just working with these kids and their dedication, and their research on the Constitution is inspiring. These are our future leaders. Which one is going to be a governor or a senator? It’s going to happen.”
Jim Davis of Post 46 in Benwood, W. Va., is no stranger to volunteering with American Legion national programs. He’s been a volunteer with Boys Nation for the past 17 years, and six years with the National Oratorical Contest.
“We have all these great volunteers who pay their own way to come here (Hillsdale, Mich.) for the same single reason … to support the youth,” he said.
He encourages all Legion Family members to see and volunteer with one or more of the Legion’s Americanism programs either at the post or department level, whether it’s Boys State, Oratorical Contest, Legion Baseball or Junior Shooting Sports.
“Volunteer to be a timekeeper or an escort with Oratorical at the post level,” Davis said. “Go see the programs. You can’t sell The American Legion unless you see the programs. If you know what the programs do and what good they do, you’ll be a life member of The American Legion. That’s just a fact.”
At nearly 80 years old, knowing the good of what The American Legion’s Oratorical Contest does for today’s youth with civic responsibility is what drives Paternostro to mark his calendar every year.
“I look forward to this,” he said. “In fact, as soon as I get the date for next year, I’m ready to go. Because it’s the enthusiasm these kids have for the Constitution. Not just sitting here, listening to their speeches but talking with them away from the contest. They are so enthused about it. It’s the enthusiasm that these contestants bring that makes you feel great, that we have got people that are going to keep us going for our great country.”
- Oratorical