Student Opportunities - Camps, Scholarships, Contests - October 2021

https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/news/american-legion-is-sponsoring-a-scholarship-contest-for-students/article_f9a5e0b2-327f-11ec-ba4b-efa002711865.

“American Legion to hold Annual Constitutional Speech Contest” locally in December

State Winner to receive $2,000

National Winner - $25K

2nd Place - $22,500 K

3d Place - $20 K

All enrolled students 9-12 including home school

The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students (9th - 12th grade, to include home schooled). Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship. The program has featured numerous politicians and prominent contestants over the years, including national television commentator and talk radio host Lou Dobbs, and former U.S. Vice President  Mike Pence.

Young orators earn some of the most generous college scholarships available to high school students. High school students under age 20 are eligible. Competition begins at the local level (Johnson City - King’s Mountain Post 24) and advances to District, Division and the Department level. The Department of Tennessee winner receives a $2,000 scholarship. The overall national contest winner gets a $25,000 scholarship. Second place takes home $22,500, and third gets $20,000. The American Legion’s National Organization awards the scholarships, which can be used at any college or university in the United States.

The contest is open book, meaning you know the questions well in advance, do the research, prepare your presentation and bring your note cards, your cell phone or printed text to the contest.  You just can’t use them to give your presentation.

Part one of the contest, the Prepared Oration, must be on some aspect of the Constitution, with emphasis on a citizen’s duties and obligations to our government. The same presentation is to be used in the department and national contest. The oration must be no fewer than 8 minutes and no more than 10 minutes in length.

Part two, of this open book contest, is known as the Assigned Topics.  The presentation must not be less than three (3) minutes or more than five (5) minutes in length. The purpose of the assigned topic discourse is to test the speaker's knowledge of the subject, the extent of his or her research, and the ability to discuss the topic as related to the basic principles of government under the Constitution.

Contestant must prepare to speak on all 4 topics.  On the day of the contest, one topic will be drawn at random and every contestant will speak on this topic.  The contestant is given 10 minutes to prepare from their note cards or other research. 

4 Assigned Topics for 2022 Contest

#1.  Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

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#2.  Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

#3.  Amendment XIV, Section 3

No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

#4.  Amendment XXV, Section 4 (AKA Presidential Succession)

Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro-temp of the

Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their

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written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

For more information on the contest or to participate, search AmericanLegion.org or americanism@legion.org .  Web site offers video of winning presentations from the last two years as examples of what it takes. 

All contestants must preregister through their high school guidance counselor.

Contact the King’s Mountain Post 24, 409 E. Market Street, Johnson City, TN 37601 at 423-929-1251 for additional information.