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.
The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program 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.
Young orators earn some of the most generous college scholarships available to high school students. Over $203,500 in scholarships can be awarded each year. The overall national contest winner gets a $25,000 scholarship. Second place takes home $22,500, and third gets $20,000. Each department (state) winner who is certified into and participates in the national contest’s first round receives a $2,000 scholarship. Those who advance past the first round receive an additional $2,000 scholarship. The American Legion’s National Organization awards the scholarships, which can be used at any college or university in the United States.
High school students under age 20 are eligible. Competition begins at the post level and advances to a state competition. Legion department representatives certify one winner per state to the national contest, where department winners compete against each other in two speaking rounds. The contest caps off with a final round that decides the three top finishers.
Speaking subjects must be on some aspect of the U.S. Constitution, with some emphasis on the duties and obligations of citizens to our government. Speeches are eight to 10 minutes long; three- to five-minute speeches on an assigned topic also are part of the contest.
Post 210 Oratorical Contest Specifics:
- The brochure provides basic information. Most importantly the due dates.
https://pa-legion.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2025-oratorical-brochure.pdf
- The contest rules and the topics.
https://pa-legion.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2025-Oratorical-Rules.pdf
- The topics in a more useable form.
https://pa-legion.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/The-assigned-topics-2025.pdf
- An excellent resource. The “Videos” section and the “Resources” section have a total of 10 videos of past winners. This should give you some indication of the level of competition at the national level. Not quite so intense at the local and state level.
https://www.legion.org/oratorical
- To clarify, the application must be received no later than midnight 1 December 2024. Mail or drop off:
Ed O’Dwyer
117 West Sandy Ridge Road
New Britain, PA 18901
Entries must be received by odwyerpa@comcast.net not later than midnight 29 December 2024. Any questions should be directed to Ed O’Dwyer at odwyerpa@comcast.net.
For PDF of the information click below:
2025 American Legion Oratorical Contest Post 210