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Department of Tennessee
"CONSTITUTIONAL SPEECH" HIGH SCHOOL ORATORICAL CONTEST
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Scholarships totaling $6,000 will be awarded to students taking part in the state contest. The state winner will receive a $3,000 scholarship, plus an all-expenses paid trip to Hillsdale College, Hillsdale MI to compete in the national contest, May 17-19, 2024, and a part of the $167,500 national scholarship pool.
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.
If you are a high school student who would like to participate, or a teacher or parent of a student who would like to participate, please use this website to gain a better understanding of the contest.
To apply for the contest, complete the application form below by clicking on the blue "ORATORICAL APPLICATION/CERTIFICATION FORM" and return it to your local contest Post or District Chairman as instructed. Remember Application/School Certification of their contest representatives must arrive at The American Legion Department of Tennessee, 318 Donelson Pike, Nashville TN 37214 not later than January 26, 2024. For more information click on the following link: Department Oratorical Information Package sent to Schools.
Please contact Chairman Terry Ward, 615-519-6523 or email tswardpost281am@gmail.com with any questions.
2024 ORATORICAL APPLICATION/CERTIFICATION FORM
District Contests between February 10 to February 24, 2024
| DISTRICT | DATE TIME & LOCATION | POINT OF CONTACT |
| 1 |
FEBRUARY 24, 2024, 10 A.M.
KINGS MOUNTAIN POST 24,
409 EAST MARKET ST., JOHNSON CITY
|
Bryan Lauzon
brylauz@yahoo.com
|
| 2 |
Michael Testerman
michael.testerman1@gmail.com
|
|
|
3
|
|
Bill Norton
423-593-6281
bill@metroservice.com
|
|
4
|
FEBRUARY 20, 2024, 10:00 A.M.
Location: tbd |
SHAWN BRUNELLE UNPUBLISHED |
|
5
|
February 24, 2024, 10:00 A.M.
St. Stephens Community Church
14544 Lebanon Rd, Old Hickory
|
Bruno Padovani
bspadovanie@sbcglobal.net
|
| 6 |
February 10, 2024, 10 A.M.
Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church
3375 Sango Rd, Clarksville
|
Billie Zeveney
billiezeveney@gmail.com
|
| 7 |
February 10, 2024, 10:00 a.m.
Smith Grove Church of Christ, 237 Hollow Springs Rd., Woodbury
|
David J. Faulkner
615-427-3674 David.J.Faulkner@DMPI-LLC.COM |
| 8 |
February 24, 2024, 10:00 A.M.
Parsons First Methodist Church
49 E. Third St., Parsons |
JERRY GRAHAM
731-858-2166 jerry.graham@tds.net |
|
9
|
February 24, 2024, 11 A.M.
UT @ Martin
|
Richard Wilkerson
rbwilkerson1@yahoo.com
|
| 10 |
February 24, 2024, 10 A.M.
Riverside Baptist Church,
3560 South Third St., Memphis
|
Nancy Harper
nlb5080ivory@gmail.com
|
Division Contests between March 9 to March 16, 2024
| DIVISION | DATE, TIME & LOCATION | POINT OF CONTACT |
| East |
March 16, 2024 NOON,
LOCATION TBA
|
|
|
Middle
|
March 9, 2024, TIME 10:00
AMERICAN LEGION POST 88, MCCAMPBELL AVE
DONELSON
|
Bruno Padovani 630-881-7610 bspadovanie@sbcglobal.net |
| West |
MARCH 9, 2024, TIME TBA
HUMBOLDT VETERANS' HOSPITAL
|
THOMAS RAINES
731-222-0058
traines@aol.com
|
PREPARED ORATION:
The oration must be on some aspect of the Constitution, with emphasis on a citizen’s duties and obligations to our government. The same subject and oration used in the department contest must be used in the national contest.
Contestants may have a copy of their prepared oration while waiting in the first holding room. They may consult the copy until they exit to begin the contest. The copy will then be surrendered to the contest official monitoring the first holding room.
Quotations must always be indicated as such. Where quotations are more than 10 words in length, the author’s name must be given in the manuscript and cited orally.
It is acceptable to utilize or incorporate short phrases in a foreign language to develop the argument, establish a point, etc. It should be understood that the vast majority of the prepared oration and/or assigned topic must still be delivered in English. Singing is not permitted and will result in immediate disqualification. The contestant may, however, quote a verse(s) of a song(s) provided proper attribution is made.
Assigned Topics for 2024 Oratorical Contest
Amendment II – A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment XXIII – The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct:
A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the State, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.
Amendment XXV, Section 3 – Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.
Amendment V – No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, not be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.