Windham’s Post 148 to offer American Legion Oratorical Contest

The American Legion Oratorical Program is a speech contest is for students who welcome learning, who are looking for an academic challenge or searching for an opportunity to gain scholarship money. Once more this year, American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 in Windham is offering local students the chance to compete in this speech contest.

Through participation in the event, students learn valuable information about our country's Constitution in a contest that has been held by the American Legion for more than 76 years. The contest centers on the U.S. Constitution that provides winners with scholarship opportunities at all levels including Local, District, State and National.

Contestants are asked to speak on a topic of their choice related the U.S. Constitution for 8 to 10 minutes followed by a speech of about 3 to 5 minutes on a Constitution topic selected by the judges.

All High school students, in grades 9 to 12 in public high schools, private schools, parochial schools, military schools and home-schooled are invited to compete in the 2023-2024 contest.

Contestants initially compete at a local American Legion 148 Post level, with winners then advancing to a District contest, with the winner at District advancing to the State Finals in February 2024. The Department of Maine winner will represent Maine at the National Contest in Indianapolis in April with the national organization funding round-trip tickets and lodging for both the contestant and a chaperone who must be over 21 years of age. If the State Winner is unable to attend the first runner up may be selected to attend and compete instead.

The contest is designed to instill in our students a better understanding and appreciation of the United States Constitution. Additionally, Post 148 members hope to develop enhanced leadership qualities that including critical thinking skills; ability to speak clearly; and develop an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights, and privileges of being an American citizen. The program also is designed to assist students in paying for the high cost of a college education.

Students who compete in these contests have the opportunity of receiving monetary awards toward their future school endeavors. Post 148 and District awards are to be determined by those organizations. At the Post level, the winner will receive $200. On the State level, the First-place winner receives $1,500; second place is $500; third place is $300; and fourth place is $125. Students who compete in the National Contest will receive at least a $2,000 scholarship with the final national competition winner receiving a $25,000 college scholarship.

The State Oratorical Contest will be held 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at Colby College in Waterville. A tentative snow date for the contest has been scheduled for Feb. 17, 2024.

The local Post 148 and the District Contests will be held in December and January, with dates yet to be determined.

For additional information about the American Legion Oratorical Contest in Maine, please contact your School Guidance Officer or the American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 Americanism Officer, John Facella, at 978-799-8900 or by visiting the Post 148 website at www.mepost148,org. You may also access info and forms at Department Headquarters at www .mainelegion.org <