Et cetera : Did you know this about the American Legion: Oratorical Contests

The American Legion Oratorical Contest is for high school students under the age of twenty at the time of the Departmental Contest. Contests are held at the Local, County, District, Area, Department and National levels of the American Legion. Each contest has two parts:

1. Prepared Oration, the Contestant will present an eight to ten minute oratorical on some aspect of the United States Constitution, with emphasis on a citizen’s duties and obligations to our government.

2. Assigned Topic, A three to five minute disclosure on a randomly selected topic. Four sections or amendments of the constitution are chosen each year as possible topics.

The Department of Iowa awards scholarships in the following amounts: first place $1,000, second place $750 third place $500. The American Legion of Iowa Foundation will match each of these scholarships.

The National Oratorical Contest is held in Indianapolis, IN. The American Legion will pay travel and lodging expenses for department winners and their chaperone. A chaperone over 21 years of age must accompany each contestant. The overall national contest winner gets an $18,000 scholarship. Second place takes home $16,000, and third gets $14,000. Each department winner who is certified into and participates in the national contest’s first round receives a $1,500 scholarship. Those who advance past the first round receive an additional $1,500 scholarship.

For additional information you may go here: http://www.ialegion.org/oratorical.htm