High School Oratorical Scholarship Program
For the student who looks for an academic challenge and an opportunity to gain scholarship monies, The American Legion's High School Oratorical Scholarship Program is a natural fit. Students learn valuable information about our country's Constitution in a contest that has been held by The American Legion for more than 65 years.
Scholarship awards are presented to the three finalists in the Final Round of
the National Program as follows: 1st Place -$18,000; 2nd Place -$16,000;
3rd Place -$14,000. Each Department (State) winner who is certified
into and participates in the first round of the National Program will receive a
$1,500 scholarship. Each first round winner who advances to and
participates in the second round, but does not advance to the Final Round, will
receive and additional $1,500 scholarship to pursue education
beyond high school.
The Scholarships awarded by the National Organization of The
American Legion may be used to attend any college or university in the United
States. Funds for the scholarships awarded by the National Organization are
provided by the American Legion Life Insurance Fund.
What topics do contestants speak on?
The Prepared Oration: The
subject to be used for the Prepared Oration must be some aspect of the
Constitution of the United States with emphasis on the duties and obligations of
a citizen to our government. The same subject and oration used in the Department
Contest must be used in the National Contest.
The prepared oration must be the original effort of each contestant and must not
take up less than eight minutes or more than ten minutes for delivery. It must
be delivered in the english language.
The Assigned Topic: The purpose of the Assigned Topic
is to test the speaker's knowledge of the subject, the extent of his or her
research, and the ability to discuss the topic as related to the basic
principles of government under the Constitution. The topic will be on some phase
of the Constitution of the United States.
The assigned topic must take no less than three minutes and must not exceed five
minutes for time of delivery. Each year, the list of Assigned Topics will be
made available prior to the contest and posted on the Legion web site at
www.legion.org.
You are
eligible to participate in The American Legion High School Oratorical
Scholarship Program if you are a citizen or a lawful resident of the United
States. Further, all contestants must be bona fide students under the age of 20
years on the date of the National program and must be enrolled in a high school
or junior high school in which the curriculum of the high school is considered
to be of high school level, commencing with grade nine and terminating with
grade twelve. Students must be enrolled in high school or junior high school
during the time of participation at any level of the Oratorical Program.
For more information contact the Department's Oratorical Committee Chairman Bill Barr at 353-4388 or check out the 2007-2008 Oratorical Program
American Legion to hold contest
Friday, December 28, 2007
LISBON FALLS
- Nelson-Conley Post 66 Falls, American Legion,
will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 2nd, at the Slovak meeting room, Avery Street.
The agenda will include a report on the recent Iraq Christmas Project. All
members, prospective members and active duty personnel are invited.
Members are also asked to attend the American Legion "Oratorical Contest", moderated by
Post 66 and hosted by Post 158 Lisbon, Webster Street, Lisbon, at 1 p.m. Sunday, January
6th. The winner will advance to the 3rd District contest held at the Mechanic
Falls Minot Post 150 at 1 p.m. Sunday, January 13th.
That winner will advance to the state semi-finals at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 16th,
at Thomas College in Waterville.
Legions to
gather for district meeting
Thursday, January 3, 2008
MECHANIC
FALLS - Past National and State Commander Bill Rodgers
and 3rd District Public Relations Officer Paul R. Bernard are announcing a
district meeting to be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 13th, at the Mechanic
Falls Post 150, 41 Elm St. The post will hold its oratorical contest at 1 p.m.
The purpose of the American Legion high school oratorical scholarship program,
"A Constitutional Speech Contest," is to develop a deeper knowledge and
appreciation of the Constitution of the United States.
Other objectives 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 and the rights and privileges of American
citizenship.
Other important anniversaries to be remembered in January are:
the 35th anniversary of the Vietnam cease fire, January 27, 1973;
the 40th anniversary of the Tet Offensive, January 30, 1968;
the 53rd anniversary of the Korean War cease fire, January 31, 1955;
and the 18th anniversary of the end of the Panama conflict, January 31, 1990.
All Legion officers and members of Posts 10, 22, 31, 66, 111, 135, 150, 153, 158
and 210 are encouraged to attend the district meeting.
71st National Oratorical Contest
Sunday, January 6, 2008
by: Paul R. Bernard, 3rd District, Public Relations Historian
Lisbon Post 66 - Lisbon Falls 158
American Legion Commander's David Wilson of
Post 158 Lisbon and John Schlaack Post 66 Lisbon Falls
each presented a 100.00 Scholarship check to Chris Dixon, a senior at Lisbon
High School.
On the first 8 to 10 minute presentation, Chris spoke on article 2 section 4, "Impeachment"
He completed in 9.51 with no penalties.
On his second 5 minute presentation the topic chosen was article 4 section 2 on Immunities of Citizenship.
He completed in 3.35 with no penalties.
Chris was tutored by Lisbon High School Speech Coach, Dean Hall. This was coach Hall's 30th year of promoting the American Legion Oratorical Contest.
Back in 2005 Nissa Marenius of Lisbon High School went on to win the State of Maine Oratorical Contest.
The moderator for the event was Russ Wrede, Post 66 Lisbon Falls.
From
left to right: Lisbon High School Speech Coach, Dean Hall, Contest Judges Fay
Ingersoll, Larry
Brown, standing behind is Robert "Bob" Packard.
Timers for the contest were Department of Maine Judge Advocate, Gard Enman & Howard "Schep" Shepardson, Service Officer Post 66 Lisbon Falls.
Department of Maine, Oratorical Chairman, Wilford "Bill" Barr, Post 66
Lisbon Falls announced
the next contest to be held in Mechanic Falls Sunday, January 13th at 1:00pm and
the state finals for the
Department Oratorical Contest will be held at Thomas
College in Waterville on Saturday, February 16th 2008 with the semi finals
starting at 10:00am and the finals to be held at 1:00pm.
Refreshments were served afterwards.
Pictured is Chris Dixon his uncle John Dixon, front row left, Grandmother Mrs. Evelyn Whitney and Aunt Michelle Dixon.
3rd District Oratorical Contest
Department
of Maine Area Representative, Thomas Naragon, of Post 158 Lisbon served as the
moderator for the 3rd District Oratorical Contest which was held at the American
Legion Mechanic Falls Minot Post 150 prior to the 3rd District January meeting.
The
timers for the 3rd District Oratorical Contest were Kris Crawford of Post 158
Lisbon and the Department of Maine Oratorical Chairman, Wilford "Bill" Barr
Post 66 Lisbon Falls.
On the first 8 to 10 minute presentation, Chris spoke on article 2 section 4, "Impeachment"
He completed in 10.3 with 1 penalty point.
On his second 5 minute presentation the topic chosen was article 4 section 2 on Immunities of Citizenship.
He completed in 3.53 with no penalties.
3rd
District Commander Kenneth Bouchard presented Chris Dixon with a Certificate of
Distinction of appreciation of and recognition for active participation in the
American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest. He was also presented
the Patrick Henry Oratory Medal with ribbon. A 150.00 Scholarship check was also
presented to Chris.
Legionnaires
from American Legion Post 10, 66, 111, 135, 150, 153, 158 were present. Sitting
in the front row is Post 66 Commander Russ Wrede Lisbon Falls. Sitting in the
second row are
Mrs. ___, Mrs. Rowe and Mrs. Lemieux. Back row, past State Commander
Robert "Bob" Rich, Past Commander Lucien Marcoux, Post 31, and Senior Vice
Commandant, Marine Corps League, 3rd District 1st Vice Commander Raymond Lemieux
and past Commandant, Marine Corps League.
3rd District Finance Officer Ashley Rowe, of Post 150 Mechanic Falls Minot is busy at work as past 3rd District Commander Gary Purrington of Post 150 Mechanic Falls Minot is overseeing the event. The Mechanic Falls Minot Post served refreshments after the Oratorical Contest. A special treat was the strawberry shortcakes.
Department
of Maine, 2nd Vice Commander Andy Olson of Stockholm spoke on the importance of
attending the mid-winter conference which will be held in Auburn at the Fireside
Inn on January 19th. 3rd District Commander Kenneth Bouchard of Post 10
Livermore Falls, Wilford "Bill" Barr, Department of Maine Oratorical Chairman,
of Post 66 Lisbon Falls.
Legion Announces Oratorical Winners
Wednesday, January 16th, 2008
by: Paul R. Bernard, 3rd District, Public Relations Historian
Waterville
- Department of Maine 2nd Vice Commander Andy Olson, 3rd District Commander
Kenneth Bouchard, Post 10 Livermore Falls and Department of Maine Oratorical
Chairman Wilford “Bill” Barr, Post 66 Lisbon Falls are announcing the State of
Maine Oratorical Contest to be held at Thomas College, Saturday, February 16th.
The semi-finals will begin at 10:00am and the finals at 1:00pm. Everyone is
invited to attend. Chris Dixon a senior at Lisbon High School won the post level
contest which was held at Post 66 Lisbon on January 6th and was presented a
200.00 Scholarship by Commander David Wilson of post 158 Lisbon and Commander
John Schlaack of post 66 Lisbon Falls. Chris moved on to the District Oratorical
Contest on January 13th and won. 3rd District Commander Kenneth Bouchard, Post
10 Livermore Falls presented Dixon with a certificate of distinction and
appreciation and recognition for active participation in the American Legion
National High School Oratorical Contest. He also presented Chris with the
Patrick Henry Oratory Medal with ribbon and a scholarship check for 150.00.
Chris will move on to the State Contest. Chris was tutored by Lisbon High School
speech coach, Dean Hall. This was
coach Hall’s 30th year of promoting the American Legion Oratorical Contest. Back
in 2005, Nissa Marenius of Lisbon High School went on to win the State of Maine
Oratorical Contest.
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