American Legion sponsors oratorical contest

MADISON – Madison County posts are sponsoring the American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program. Local students can compete for substantial scholarship awards at various levels.

Madison County Commander Carlos Woods has invited Madison County students to enter the contest. School officials are cooperating with legionnaires to help students. Interested teenagers can contact their career and college counselor at their school for more information.

“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 to the United States government,” Tom McKinney said. McKinney is a member of American Post 229 in Madison.

“The contest will also include an assigned subject allowing the contestants to briefly speak on a specific constitutional matter,” McKinney said.

The county level of competition will be held at Madison City Hall, 100 Hughes Road on Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. For the district level, Morgan County Post 15 at 2607 Hwy. 315 S. in Decatur will host the event on Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. The division contest also will be held at Morgan County Post 15 on Feb. 25 at 10 a.m.

State competition will be conducted at the Alabama Department of Archives and History at 624 Washington Ave. in Montgomery on March 11 at 9 a.m.

Contestants who rank in the top three places will receive monetary awards at each level. “The winner at each level will progress to the next level. The State of Alabama winner will be eligible to receive scholarships at the University of Alabama, the University of North Alabama or Auburn University,” McKinney said.

“In addition to awards to winners of various elimination rounds, college scholarships of $18,000, $16,000 and $14,000 will be awarded to the first three places in the national finals in Indianapolis, respectively,” McKinney said. “Each state winner who competes in the first round of the national contest will receive a $1,500 scholarship.”

The American Legion will pay travel and lodging expenses of state winners at the national contest.

For rules and contest information, visit legion.org/oratorical.