Top nine orators advance to Oratorical semifinals

Nine of 53 high school orators advanced from the first round of The American Legions 81st annual National Oratorical Contest. 

The following nine are headed to the semifinals to continue their oration on the U.S Constitution: Caleb V. Wilson of  Tallahassee, Fla.;  Mattilyn L. Winburn of Bainbrdge, Ga.;  Nathan L. York of National City, Calif.;  Emily M. Parker, Lino Lakes, Minn.;  Griffin L. Smith, Spearfish, S.D.;  Isaac Bock of Indianapolis; Britney N. McGloflin, of Cabot, Ark.;  Renee D. Betterson of Berea, Ohio and Carlissa N. Frederich of Paducah, Ky.

The top three from the semi-finals will advance to the finals tomorrow at 10 a.m. Eastern Watch the finals on Facebook live at www.facebook.com/americanlegionhq.

The three finalists will compete for $48,000 in scholarships.