Oratory Contest to test student public speaking ability

When asked after Ben Franklin left the Continental Congress, “What have you given us?” His response, “A Republic, if you can keep it.” At the 105th American Legion National Convention held in August, one of the hot topics was the lack of education of our youth in the areas of civics and government with 85 percent of students unable to site the three branches of government. Now, the American Legion’s key youth programs of Boys and Girls State and the Oratorical Program are opportunities for our youth to be immersed in our form of government.

Since 1938, the Oratorical Competition has presented 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 American Legion Oratorical Program is a speech contest for students who welcome learning and for the student who looks for an academic challenge and an opportunity to gain scholarship funding, the 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 86 years.

The Field-Allen Post 148 in Windham and the American Legion National High School Oratorical Scholarship Program is once again underway. The program is a speech contest centered on the U.S. Constitution that provides winners with scholarship opportunities at all levels (Local-District-Department of Maine- National).

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

Contestants initially compete at the local Legion 148 Post level, with winners then advancing to a District contest, with the winner at District advancing to the State Finals in February. The Department of Maine winner will represent Maine at the National Contest in Indianapolis in April 2025 with the National organization funding round-trip tickets and lodging for both the contestant and a chaperone.

At the Post level, the winner will receive a $200 cash prize. At the State level, the first-place winner receives $1,500; second place $500; third place $300; and fourth place $125.

Students who compete in the National Contest will receive at least a $2,000 scholarship with the final competition winner receiving a $25,000 scholarship.

The State Oratorical Contest for Maine will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at Thomas College in Waterville.

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

In Windham, the Field-Allen Post 148 will need contest application forms submitted by Dec. 1.

For additional details pertaining to the Legion’s Oratorical Contest in Maine, please contact your Guidance Officer at your school or the Field-Allen Post 148 Americanism Officer, John Facella at 978-799-8900 or visit the Post website at www.mepost148,org. You may also access info and entry forms at Department of Maine Headquarters at www.mainelegion.org <