Complete Oratorical Program Information: https://www.legion.org/oratorical/about
A Constitutional Speech Contest
Participants in the American Legion Oratorical Contest develop leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and are better prepared for the acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, for the rights and privileges of American citizenship.
A single prepared speech topic related the United States Constitution will be required with a length of 8 to 10 minutes, as well as an “Assigned Topic” that must consume 3 to 5 minutes of presenter’s delivery. 2021 Assigned topics are located at: https://www.legion.org/oratorical/topics.
OBJECTIVES
Develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Constitution of the United States on the part of Texas high school students;
Give each participating student an opportunity to utilize this knowledge in an atmosphere of competitive public speaking; and
Offer students an avenue to obtain scholarship awards to assist them in pursuing a college education.
ELIGIBILITY
The American Legion State Oratorical Contest is open to any student who is enrolled in classes equivalent to the regular 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grades. All students must be under twenty (20) years of age. All contestants must be a citizen of or lawful permanent resident of the United States. The student must compete in the District in which his/her sponsoring Post is located. Locate your nearest American Legion Post at www.legion.org/posts.
DATES
Local contests – must begin after October 24, 2020 and must be completed by December 11, 2020. Winners must be certified by the local American Legion Oratorical Chair or Post Commander, who will then notify the District Oratorical Chair. Contests should be conducted using National rules.
District Contests – will begin December 12, 2020 and conclude on January 15, 2021 The District winner must be certified to the Division Oratorical Chair by the District Oratorical chair or District Commander. Contests should be conducted using National rules.
Division Contests – will begin on January 16, 2021 and conclude on February 7, 2021. The Division winner must be certified by the Division Oratorical Chair or Division Commander to Department of Texas, P.O. Box 140527, Austin TX 78714 or by email to: michaels@txlegion.org. All Division Winners must submit one copy of their prepared oration to the Department Chair or their designated representative before competing in the State Final Contest. This copy is to be forwarded by the Department Chairman to Department Headquarters for record purposes along with the Chairman’s written report.
Should the winner decline to participate in the Department Finals the first runner-up should then be certified as the participant by the Division Chairman. Contests should be conducted using National rules.
All Division Winners must submit one copy of their prepared oration to the Department Chair or their designated representative before competing in the State Final Contest. This copy is to be forwarded by the Department Chairman to Department Headquarters for record purposes along with the Chairman’s written report.
State Contest – The American Legion, Department of Texas, Oratorical Program Finals, will be held Monday, February 15, 2021 (February 22 Alternate). The state contest will be conducted using National rules. Department Headquarters will certify the winner to the National Americanism Commission.
SUPERVISION OF CONTEST
The Oratorical Chairman in charge of each Contest shall have full control and supervision of each Contest and his/her decisions shall be final. The Department Oratorical Chair will direct the Department Contest. Official judging cards, tabulation forms, and timekeeper forms can be found in the Oratorical Chairman’s Guide or in the links below.
AWARDS
The American Legion Post may present a scholarship or such awards to the winner of the High School Contest as it chooses so long as such awards has no cash value. The scholarship must be paid to the college or university of the student’s choice in the student’s name to be credited in the student’ name once proof of enrollment has been received. A deadline for the payment should be established by the awarding organization.
The American Legion, Department of Texas, will award each Division winner a certificate for participation in the Department Finals and a medal designating their standing in the contest. Additionally, scholarships to the college of his/her choice will be awarded as follows: First place $2,000, 2nd place – $1,500, 3rd place $1,000 and 4th place $500. Scholarships are contingent on the winner entering college within 1 year after graduation from high school.
The Department Champion will receive an additional $2,000 scholarship from National provided he/she participates in the Quarter Finals Contest and an additional $2,000 scholarship from National if the participant advances to the Semi Finals Contest and does not advance to the National Finals. Contestants in the National Finals are awarded scholarships as follows; 1st – $25,000; 2nd – $22,500; 3rd – $20,000.
EXPENSES
The Department assumes no liability for the expenses of any individual contestant in connection with any High School, District or Division Contest.
For traveling to the State Contest, the following expenses for contestants and one adult will be paid: two meals at $6.00 per meal, hotel expenses, and .25¢ per mile round trip. Airline travel is not authorized. Such expenses will be paid to the adult chaperon or to the Post. No monies will be paid directly to the contestant to protect his/her University Interscholastic League eligibility. Contestant’s actual expenses will not be reimbursed.
The winner of the Department Contest will represent the State of Texas in the National Contests and expenses for such contestant will be provided in accordance with the National Rules.
Oratorical Chairman’s Guide
https://www.legion.org/publications/248154/oratorical-chairmans-guide
Oratorical Resources
https://www.legion.org/oratorical/resources
Oratorical Registration Form
https://www.txlegion.org/Files/Winner Registration form.pdf
Oratorical Brochure
https://www.legion.org/publications/160905/oratorical-contest-promotional-brochure
Oratorical Forms
Judging, Scoring & Tabulation
https://www.legion.org/oratorical/resources
News Releases/PSA Templates
https://www.legion.org/publications/248154/oratorical-chairmans-guide