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American Legion National Oratorical Contest Finals The American Legion Oratorical Program About the Oratorical Contest Winners will earn scholarship money, chance to compete in national finals. May 19, 2024, Aubrey Moore of Washington State left the American Legion National Oratorical Finals at Hillsdale College, MI with $25,000 in college scholarship. She competed along with 51 other high school students in this premier two day speech contest. For Aubrey’s winning oration, “Why Freedom and Speech is in Danger,” Moore speaks of the need to support the individual right of freedom of speech. She addresses “America’s push for tolerance and why our fundamental constitutional right is in danger.” 2024 American Legion National Oratorical Contest Finals Champion Aubrey Moore – Prepared Oration This program presents participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship. The subject in the prepared oration portion of the contest must be about some phase of the Constitution of the United States, emphasizing the duties and obligations of a citizen. The prepared oration must be the original effort of each contestant and must be 8-10 minutes in length. The speeches are done without amplification, notes or a podium. The student also prepares shorter speeches to be presented in a 3-5 minute format and based on one of four Amendments selected by American Legion leadership each year. Contests at local American Legion Posts will be held Dec.-Feb. (2025) The 5 District contests will be held Feb.- Mar.(2025). The Department contest will be in March, 2025. Awards of $1500, $750, and $500 go to the first through third places in the March Department contest. The winner of the Vermont Department contest goes to the National Contest, Hillsdale College. MI. May 17-18, 2025. The American Legion pays the travel and lodging expense of the state winner and chaperone to the national contest. Each state winner who competes in the first round of the national contest will receive a $2,000 scholarship. Participants in the second round who do not advance to the national final round will receive an additional $2,000 scholarship. The top three youth orators who have won all previous elimination rounds of the contest will vie for top honors in the national contest. In addition to the awards by winners of the various elimination rounds of competition, college scholarships of $25,000, $22,500, and $20,000 will be awarded to the first through third places in the final competition. High school students who are interested in entering the competition will find additional information here. Complete Contest Rules Click HERE Four Amendments of the Assigned Topics as subject matter https://www.legion.org/oratorical/topics Student application for participation must be postmarked no later than December 11, 2024. Submitting an application gives the Program Manager an idea of where to concentrate efforts and resources. It does not immediately obligate the student to a speech. Karlene DeVine (802) 377-7380 Karlene1350@gmail.com Department of Vermont American Legion Oratorical Program Chair
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