The purpose of the American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest is to develop a better understanding 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.
 

Eligible participants in The American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest shall be citizens of or lawful permanent residents of the United States.
 

All contestants must be bona fide students herein described as any student under the age of twenty (20) on the date of the National Contest who is presently enrolled in a high school or junior high school (public, parochial, military, private or state accredited home school) in which the curriculum of said high school is considered to be of high school level, commencing with grade nine (9) and terminating with grade twelve (12). Students must be enrolled in high school or junior high school during the time of participation at any level of The American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest. Further, to participate in the Florida contest, students must be residents of the state of Florida. Students whose parents or guardians are legal residents of another state must participate in that state.
 

There is no application required to enter.  Contact your local American Legion Post for entry.  Use the Post Locator link to find a Post.  You can also contact the Department Chairman or the District Chairman by using the e-mail link next to their name.  You can find them listed at the bottom of this page.

The subject to be used for the Prepared Orations in the Oratorical Contest must be on some phase of the Constitution of the United States which will give emphasis to the attendant duties and obligations of a citizen to our government. The same subject and oration used in the Department Contest must be used in the National Contest.

Contestants may have in their possession a copy of their Prepared Oration in the First Holding Room. They may consult the copy of their Prepared Oration, until they exit the holding room in order to begin the contest, at which time the copy of the Prepared Oration will be surrendered to the contest official who is monitoring the First Holding Room.

The prepared oration must be the original effort of each contestant and must not take up less than eight minutes or more that ten minutes for delivery.  It must be delivered in the English language

In the Prepared Oration, as well as in the Assigned Topic discourse, quotations must be indicated as such. Where quotations are more than ten words in length, the author's name must be given in the manuscript and cited orally.
 

The Assigned Topic discourse must not consume less than three (3) minutes or more than five (5) minutes for delivery. The purpose of the Assigned Topic discourse is to test the speaker's knowledge of the subject, the extent of his research, and the ability to discuss the topic as related to the basic principles of government under the Constitution.  All Contestants at each contest level are required to speak in the English language on the same Assigned Topic.

What to Wear -- Uniforms are not permitted. Appropriate business attire is required by all contestants. Contestants are not permitted to wear awards and medals from previous competition.

Travel Expenses -- The Department of Florida will pay the travel and lodging expenses of Area Winners and their chaperone to the State Contest.  All contestants must be accompanied by a chaperone over 21 years of age.

Speaking Order -- A drawing will be held to determine the order in which the contestants will appear. Contestants will be introduced by number only.

Notes or Podium -- The use of notes, amplification, lectern or speakers stand by contestants or prompting in any manner is not permitted. Props are not permitted.

Participation -- Contestants are required to remain in a private room where the discourse of the other speakers cannot be heard until it is their turn to speak.