Oratorical Contest

The purpose of The American Legion’s National High School Oratorical Contest is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, the rights and privileges of American citizenship.

We started the new year with our Oratorical Contest headed by Bill LaRouchelle. Congratulations to Ava Grant of Springhill High School for winning the contest! Saina Srivastava, also of Springhill HS, gave a great presentation. Ava has been awarded a $200 college grant from Post 193 and moves on to the District competition on 11 February 2023.

UPDATE: National Awards Oratorical Finals Awards for 2023

Haley Bock of Indianapolis won The American Legion's National High School Oratorical Contest on April 23. For her first-place finish, the homeschooled senior won a $25,000 scholarship. Second-place finish and a $22,500 scholarship were awarded to Ian Chung of Vestal, N.Y., and a third-place finish and a $20,000 scholarship were awarded to Emma Johnson of Powell, Wyo. Bock emerged in the National Oratorical Contest, held in Indianapolis, from a competitive field of 48 high school orators from across the country who spoke on an aspect of the U.S. Constitution. Throughout the weekend's competition over $203,000 was awarded in scholarships.

Go deeper: If you're a high school youth and want to participate in the oratorical contest, learn more about the program and how to get involved here.