Northwestern State University will host the finals of the state American Legion Oratorical Contest Sunday, March 4 at 1 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.
Student winners from eight districts around Louisiana will compete for a $1,500 scholarship and opportunity to represent Louisiana at the national competition. This will be NSU’s fifth year in hosting the finals.
The 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. The program has featured numerous politicians and prominent contestants over the years, including former president candidate Alan Keyes and Fox Business Network anchor Lou Dobbs.
Speaking subjects must be on some aspect of the U.S. Constitution, with some emphasis on the duties and obligations of citizens to our government. Speeches are eight to 10 minutes long. Three to five-minute speeches on an assigned topic also are part of the contest.
For more information about the contest, go to legion.org/oratorical/about.