The American Legion Oratorical Contest is a constitutional speech contest and scholarship program that challenges high school students to improve their speaking skills and develop a deeper appreciation of the Constitution of the United States. Winners at all levels—local, regional and state—receive scholarships. The first place winner from each state receives a $2,000 scholarship, plus an additional $2,000 for advancing past the first round, and goes on to compete nationally for up to $25,000 in scholarship awards.
The program presents participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of the nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship.
Location(s)
- Takes place at the local, regional, and state level all across the country
- Location for the National Finals changes every year
Schedule
- Year-round
- National Finals are held in May
Cost/Compensation
- Free
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States
- Must be under the age of 20 on the date of the national contest
- Must be presently enrolled in a high school or junior high school (public, parochial, military, private or home school)
- The curriculum of the school must be considered to be of high school level, commencing with grade 9 and terminating with grade 12
- Must either be legally domiciled within or attend an educational institution within the department entered
- Students may enter the competition through only one department
- High school students that graduate early during the school year are eligible to compete if they are not enrolled in a college, university, trade school or other institution of higher learning at the time of the department finals contest
- The three finalists of the national contest are ineligible for further participation at any level
Deadline
- Varies
Application or Entry Requirements
- The oration must be on some aspect of the Constitution, with emphasis on a citizen’s duties and obligations to the U.S. government
- The same subject and oration used in the department contest must be used in the national contest
Notifications of Decisions
Financial Aid Details
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
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The American Legion is a patriotic organization of U.S. war veterans headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was established in 1919 in Paris, France by veterans to help veterans after their discharge from military service. The American Legion is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, and is committed to mentoring youth, advocating for patriotism and honor, and promoting strong national security.
