Oratorical

The American Legion Oratorical Contest is an annual public speaking competition developed in 1938 for high school students (grades 9-12) under the age of 20 with a top prize of $25,000. The program's primary objective is to cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation of the United States Constitution among youth while fostering leadership and clear communication skills. To compete, participants must deliver a fully memorized, eight-to-ten-minute prepared speech focusing on some aspect of the Constitution and the civic duties of American citizens. Additionally, speakers must give a shorter, three-to-five-minute discourse on a randomly selected constitutional topic drawn just minutes before presenting.

The contest begins at the county level in December of each year. https://nylegion.net/oratorical-contest/

- Applicants will submit a typed version of their prepared speech by 15 December of each year.

- The contest for Manhattan- and Bronx-based students is typically held on the second Saturday each January.

- If you have questions about competing in the Oratorical Contest, please email commander@alpost754.org.