76th National Oratorical Championship

Photos from the 2013 American Legion high school oratorical scholarship program held in Indianapolis, IN. Photos by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
A look from outside the holding room where contestants prepare themselves for quarterfinal competition. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
A look from outside the holding room where contestants prepare themselves for quarterfinal competition. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Shaun Laska of Jamestown, NY and Jacob Caldwell of Frewsburg, NY talk with Department of New York Legionnaire Anthony L. Paternostro before the start of quarterfinal competition. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Shaun Laska of Jamestown, NY and Jacob Caldwell of Frewsburg, NY talk with Department of New York Legionnaire Anthony L. Paternostro before the start of quarterfinal competition. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Contestants gather in their rooms to meet with one another and get rules about the quarterfinal event. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Contestants gather in their rooms to meet with one another and get rules about the quarterfinal event. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
American Legion National Oratorical contestants (ltr) Zachary Smith of Smyrna, DE; Ryland Ploeger of Lake Stevens WA; Mackenzie Arnold of Wantage, NJ;Kayla Giordano of East Lyme, CT; Kate Park of Los Altos, CA; and Paul Popa of Saline, MI listen to Colorado Legionnaire and contest moderator Paul Talafuse go over the ground rules for the quarterfinal competition. At far left is Indiana Legionnaire Ida Jewell who is the tabulator and timer for this group of contestants. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
American Legion National Oratorical contestants (ltr) Zachary Smith of Smyrna, DE; Ryland Ploeger of Lake Stevens WA; Mackenzie Arnold of Wantage, NJ;Kayla Giordano of East Lyme, CT; Kate Park of Los Altos, CA; and Paul Popa of Saline, MI listen to Colorado Legionnaire and contest moderator Paul Talafuse go over the ground rules for the quarterfinal competition. At far left is Indiana Legionnaire Ida Jewell who is the tabulator and timer for this group of contestants. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Another group of students gather to go over rules and regulations for the quarterfinal round of competition. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Another group of students gather to go over rules and regulations for the quarterfinal round of competition. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Oratorical contestant Zachary Smith of Smyrna, DE (left) meets with an SAL volunteer in the holding room. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Oratorical contestant Zachary Smith of Smyrna, DE (left) meets with an SAL volunteer in the holding room. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Contestants Astha Berry of Franklin, WI; Victoria Schalk of Saboltus, ME; and Peyton Luke of Valley View, TX; meet with Legionnaire escort Lynn John from the Department of Pennsylvania. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Contestants Astha Berry of Franklin, WI; Victoria Schalk of Saboltus, ME; and Peyton Luke of Valley View, TX; meet with Legionnaire escort Lynn John from the Department of Pennsylvania. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Department of Vermont Legionnaire and contest usher Randal Miles meets with contestant Erin Connor of Bridport, VT in the holding room before the quarterfinal round of competition. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Department of Vermont Legionnaire and contest usher Randal Miles meets with contestant Erin Connor of Bridport, VT in the holding room before the quarterfinal round of competition. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Contestants sit in rows, according to their assigned speaking order in the holding room prior to the quarterfinal round of compeition. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Contestants sit in rows, according to their assigned speaking order in the holding room prior to the quarterfinal round of compeition. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
A watchful Wisconsin Legionnaire takes in the view of quarterfinal contestants in the holding room. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
A watchful Wisconsin Legionnaire takes in the view of quarterfinal contestants in the holding room. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Second-place winner Elzabeth Scannell, Goose Creek, SC competes during the final round of the 76th National Oratorical Championship in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Second-place winner Elzabeth Scannell, Goose Creek, SC competes during the final round of the 76th National Oratorical Championship in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Second-place winner Elzabeth Scannell, Goose Creek, SC competes during the final round of the 76th National Oratorical Championship in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Second-place winner Elzabeth Scannell, Goose Creek, SC competes during the final round of the 76th National Oratorical Championship in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
First-place winner Agnes Rieger from Kansas City, MO competes during the final round of the 76th National Oratorical Championship in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
First-place winner Agnes Rieger from Kansas City, MO competes during the final round of the 76th National Oratorical Championship in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
First-place winner Agnes Rieger from Kansas City, MO competes during the final round of the 76th National Oratorical Championship in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
First-place winner Agnes Rieger from Kansas City, MO competes during the final round of the 76th National Oratorical Championship in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Third-place winner Rachel Schartz of Humboldt, SD competes during the final round of the 76th National Oratorical Championship in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Third-place winner Rachel Schartz of Humboldt, SD competes during the final round of the 76th National Oratorical Championship in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Third-place winner Rachel Schartz of Humboldt, SD competes during the final round of the 76th National Oratorical Championship in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Third-place winner Rachel Schartz of Humboldt, SD competes during the final round of the 76th National Oratorical Championship in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
National Americanism Commission Chairman Joseph E. Caouette speaks to the crowd, contestants and judges after the final round of competition was completed. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
National Americanism Commission Chairman Joseph E. Caouette speaks to the crowd, contestants and judges after the final round of competition was completed. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
The finalists and their judges line up on stage for recognition at the 76th National Oratorical Championship in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
The finalists and their judges line up on stage for recognition at the 76th National Oratorical Championship in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
The awards adorn a table on stage, awaiting the news of their new owners. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
The awards adorn a table on stage, awaiting the news of their new owners. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Pictured are second-place finisher Elizabeth Scannell from Goose Creek, SC; National Commander Jim Koutz; first-place finisher Agnes Rieger of Kansas City, MO; and third-place finisher Rachel Schartz of Humboldt, SD. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.
Pictured are second-place finisher Elizabeth Scannell from Goose Creek, SC; National Commander Jim Koutz; first-place finisher Agnes Rieger of Kansas City, MO; and third-place finisher Rachel Schartz of Humboldt, SD. Photo by Eldon Lindsay/The American Legion.