HIGH SCHOOL
ORATORICAL CONTEST
ANNOUNCEMENTS
2010 - 73rd Annual Oratorical Contest Results.
1st Place Matthew Schuhriemen, Home School Senior
2nd Place Katherine Rudolph, Naperville Central HS Senior
3rd Place Micah Colbert, Home School Senior
4th Place Ryan Macwan, Home School Sophomore
5th Place Allyssa Peterson, Benet Academy Senior
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2010 American Legion Oratorical Contests
Dear Students, Parents and School Contacts:
Application forms for the State Contest may be obtained from me. The State winner will represent Illinois in the National Contest. Please contact me now if you are interested. Only serious candidates should apply as our local Naperville Post #43 will be paying a $125 fee for each applicant.
Now is the time to prepare for a fine educational experience that could be very rewarding. Illinois awards $13,000 and National awards $128,000 and there are other prizes at lower contest levels.
My summary of the "Essentials" is at the end of this message.
For more formal State information see
www.illegion.org and click Scholarship tab near the top. For National information see
www.legion.org and click Legion Programs tab near the top; then click Youth Programs tab and scroll down to The American Legion High School Oratorical Contest.
Contest dates: Naperville 01/02/10; DuPage County 01/03/10; District 01/09/10; Division 01/16/10; State 03/06/10; Nationals 04/09 - 11/2010.
Feel free to contact me directly to answer any questions you may have.
Wishing you success in all your endeavors,
Don Hennessy, Contest Chairman
Naperville Post 43 of American Legion
"Essentials"
At Naperville Contest Level
1. Draft in writing a "Prepared Oration" on some phase(s) of the U.S. Constitution which will give emphasis to the attendant duties and obligations of a citizen that can be given in no less than 8 minutes and no more than 10 minutes. It must have a title. It does not have to be recited verbatim, but contestants must adhere to the ideas prepared. It is suggested that contestants memorize the beginning and the ending, plus an outline. Practice with a teacher or parent who will check timing and give constructive comments - like speaking slower and giveing good word separation for names, titles and words the judges may not easily recognize. Because of the time requirements, and because one may speak at a different rate in different locations, it is good to have items that can be added, or left out, just before starting the final ending, depending on time warning signs which will appear at the 8, 9 and 10 minute marks. Use a timer when practicing. Have pleasant facial expression. Do not be a statue. Be your natural self, but use expression and emphasis like good speakers do. Bring a copy of your speech to each contest. Attach a bibliography sheet at the end to show where your speech information was obtained.
2. Be prepared to speak no less than 3 minutes and no more than 5 minutes on the "Assigned Topic". Time warning signs will appear at the 3, 4, and 5 minute marks. The four topics, one of which will be chosen at contest time, are:
(1) Article 4, Section 3, Par. 1 of U.S. Constitution
(2) Article 5 of the U.S. Constitution
(3) Amendment 5 to the U.S. Constitution
(4) Amendment 6 to the U.S. Constitution
3. No notes, no microphone and no podium will be used while speaking.
4. Appear in business attire with a parent or teacher. Bring a written copy of your "Prepared Oration" which must have a title. "Sign In" at the American Legion Hall, 8 W. Chicago, 2nd Floor, Naperville, on Sat., January 2, 2010, at 1:30 PM.
5. The order of speaking will be determined by lot at contest time. Contestants will not hear speeches of other contestants, but parents, teachers and guests may attend and hear the speeches of all contestants. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Winners will be announced the same afternoon after all contestants have been heard. Prizes of $300, 200 and $100 will be awarded.
6. When facts or figures are used, have good back-up sources and references for same in your bibliography. It would be embarrassing to later learn a speech contained erroneous facts or figures.
7. Two weeks or more before contest date, Sat., Jan. 2, 2010, a Parent or School Representative must confirm to Contest Chairman Don Hennessy (1) the name and (2) phone number of the contestant that will appear and compete at the contest from the High School. Earlier confirmations are appreciated. This info is needed for determining contest staff and set-ups.
8. The purpose of the contest is to instill a better knowledge and appreciation of the U.S. Constitution in high school students. Other objectives include the development of leadership and speaking qualities. This National Contest has occurred annually since 1938. Originally the 1st place contestant advanced to the next contest level. Last year because of the small number of applicants, contests below State level did not eliminate any contestants. The State Champion then competes against the other 49 States in the National Contest which has 3 contest levels. State college awards of $13,000 are spread among State contestants. National college awards of $128,000 are spread among National contestants with $18,000, $16,000 and $14,000 going to the three finalists.
To be eligibile, an applicant must be a bona fide high school student (grades 9 thru 12), a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident, and under the age of 20 years at the time of the National contest.
For more information and answers to questions, please contact Don Hennessy, Contest Chairman for American Legion Naperville Post 43, (630-355-4679), 1071 Devonshire Ave., Naperville, IL 60540
gddh55@sbcglobal.net
Naperville Post 43 Contest Level
American Legion High School Oratorical Contest
1999-2000 - 63rd Annual
1st Place Andrew Mondi, Naperville North HS, Senior
Also won County, District, Division, 4th in State
2000-2001 - 64th Annual
1st Place Ian Holzhauer, Naperville North HS, Senior
2001-2002 - 65th Annual
1st Place Jennifer L. Dierdorff, Naperville Central HS, Senior
2002-2003 - 66th Annual
1st Place Scott Musial, Benet Academy, Senior
Also won Du Page County
2nd Place Alexis Maxwell, Naperville North, Senior
3rd Place Jessica Garvert, Benet Academy, Sophomore
2003-2004 - 67th Annual
1st Place Serena Raheja, Naperville North HS, Senior
Also won County
2nd Place Melissa Entzminger, Home School, Junior
3rd Place Michael S. Leen, Benet Academy, Senior
2004-2005 - 68th Annual
1st Place Melissa Entzminger, Home School, Senior
Also won Du Page County
2nd Place Casey Verkamp, Naperville North HS, Junior
3rd Place Jennifer Cota, Naperville Central HS, Senior
2005-2006 - 69th Annual
1st Place Casey Verkamp, Naperville North HS, Senior
Also won County, District, Division, State,
Competed in Nationals
2nd Place Danielle Gewurz, Nequa Valley HS, Senior
2006-2007 - 70th Annual
1st Place Jared Canfield, Home School, Junior
Also won County, District, Division, State,
won 3rd Place at Nationals
2008 - 71st Annual
1st Place Matthew Schuhriemen, a Home School Sophomore
2nd Place Kristin Hwu, a Naperville North HS Senior
3rd Place Sunameeka Panigrahy, a Naperville Central HS Junior
2009 - 72nd Annual
1st Place Miriam Canfield, a Home School Junior
2nd Place Matthew Schuhriemen, a Home School Junior
3rd Place Thomas Schuhriemen, a Home School Senior
Jared Canfield - 2007
1st Place at State Contest
3rd Place at National Contest
