Oratorical Championships

The 2016 American Legion National Oratorical Contest once again featured some of the top youth speakers and scholars from throughout the United States. In competition for major scholarship funding, they take their performances extremely seriously. Photos of the behind-the-scenes preparation, excitement and anxiety shown in this gallery are by Clay Lomneth and Lucas Carter of The American Legion's national Marketing, Media & Communications staff.
Legionnaires talk before the start of The American Legion's 79th annual High School Oratorical Scholarship Program:
Legionnaires talk before the start of The American Legion's 79th annual High School Oratorical Scholarship Program: "A Constitutional Speech Contest" in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
A Legionnaire salutes the flag before the Oratorical Contest finals in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
A Legionnaire salutes the flag before the Oratorical Contest finals in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Solomon Brown of Greenwood, Miss., recites a prepared oration during the Oratorical Contest finals in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Solomon Brown of Greenwood, Miss., recites a prepared oration during the Oratorical Contest finals in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Cheyenne Mathews of Ketchikan, Alaska, recites her prepared speech during the Oratorical Contest finals in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Cheyenne Mathews of Ketchikan, Alaska, recites her prepared speech during the Oratorical Contest finals in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Benjamin Crosby of Burlington, Wash., winner of the 79th Oratorical Contest, recites his prepared speech in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Benjamin Crosby of Burlington, Wash., winner of the 79th Oratorical Contest, recites his prepared speech in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Benjamin Crosby of Burlington, Wash., winner of the 79th Oratorical Contest, recites his prepared speech in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Benjamin Crosby of Burlington, Wash., winner of the 79th Oratorical Contest, recites his prepared speech in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Oratorical participants talk to National Commander Dale Barnett in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Oratorical participants talk to National Commander Dale Barnett in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Solomon Brown, Cheyenne Mathews and Benjamin Crosby spend time backstage after the Oratorical competition in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Solomon Brown, Cheyenne Mathews and Benjamin Crosby spend time backstage after the Oratorical competition in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Oratorical participants take a selfie after the Oratorical competition in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Oratorical participants take a selfie after the Oratorical competition in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.