Annual Oratorical Contest at Post 201

Annual Oratorical Contest at Post 201 is Set for Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 10 a.m. at American Legion Post 201. Members of the Post 201 Family and the General Public are invited to attend the competition.

The January 11 contest is the first of four levels of competition leading to the American Legion’s national competition at Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Mich. on May 16 – 18. The top three winners in the Post’s competition will receive scholarship funds of: First Place – $1,000; Second Place – $750; and Third Place – $500.

Additional scholarship money may be earned at each succeeding level of competition with the winner at the national level earning more than $25,000.

Post Oratorical Contest Chair David Cunnold said five contestants are currently registered to compete on January 11. Although he said the contestants names cannot be announced prior to the day of the competition, they include an 18-year-old senior from Chattahoochee High School; two 17-year-old juniors from Innovation Academy; an 18-year-old junior from Forsyth Central High School; and a 17-year-old junior from Milton High School.

Each contestant will give two speeches during competition. One is prepared in advance and will be on some aspect of the U.S. Constitution, with emphasis on the duties and obligations of citizens to the government. The prepared speeches will be eight-to-ten minutes long. The second speech for each contestant will be a three-to-five minute assigned topic presentation based on one of the following amendments:
Amendment I – Provides Fundamental Freedoms.
Amendment VII – Protects the right to a jury trial.
Amendment XVIII – Prohibits production, sale, and transportation of alcohol.
Amendment XXVI – Establishes a minimum age of 18 to vote.

Students interested in participating in the oratorical contest must registered prior to Monday, Jan. 6. Contestants must be an active high school student in grades 9 to 12, must be an American citizen or lawful permanent resident, and must be under age 20 on May 16, 2025.

For more information on the contest, or to register, contact Post 201 Oratorical Chair David Cunnold via email at [email protected] or call 770-853-5130.