American Legion holds state finals oratorical contest
DELAWARE — The Department of Ohio’s American Legion held its annual oratorical contest on Sunday at the department’s headquarters in Delaware.
The district winners were invited to participate in the state finals program. There were five district winners present for the state contest. The students did their prepared eight to 10 minute speeches, fol- lowed by three to five minute speeches on the assigned topic. The students then got some break time as the judges and tabulators worked on the scoring to come up with the order of the students.
When the order was determined of the scoring results, everyone was asked to return to the main room. The department chairman asked the students in order of finish to come forward to receive a plaque and a desk top flag set.
The 2nd District winner, Liberty Menke, was the last to be called to come forward to collect the first place awards. All the students will also receive scholarship money for participating in the program from the state and national organizations. The national contest organizers decided to cancel this year’s event, as they did in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Menke, and so many other girls missed the Girls State Program also, because it also was canceled due to the coronavirus.
Menke is a senior at New Knoxville High School. She was supported by the New Knoxville American Legion Post 444.
“She has not decided what college to attend, but has a couple possibilities in mind,” said John McJunkin, 2nd District oratorial chairman. “Of course I was very happy for Liberty, her parents and the 2nd District for supporting this year’s winner. It was a pleasure working with the students taking part in the program this year. I hope that students interested with this program, get ahold of me or your local American Legion Post for next years’ program.”
The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. 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.