Expert Overview

The American Legion's National High School Oratorical Contest, held since 1938, has students deliver an eight-to-ten-minute speech without notes on the U.S. Constitution, plus a short speech on an assigned constitutional provision. Contestants advance from local contests through state competitions to a national finals, with college scholarships awarded.

Format

Individual

Judging Format

Jurors, Scoring based: Each contest uses a panel of five judges who reach a combined decision. Judging criteria include knowledge of U.S. laws/Constitution and speaking skills (voice, style, poise, etc.). A penalty of one point per minute (or fraction) for time violations is assessed toward the contestant's total score.

Monetary

Grade Eligibility

Rising Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors

Geographic Eligibility

U.S.

Discipline

Public SpeakingCivicsGovernmentDebate

Entries

~3,500

Percent Awarded

1.25%

Important Dates

Application deadlines for the local post and state rounds vary

Contact your local American Legion post for specific deadlines

National Deadline

Early April 2027

National Finals Competition

May 14-16, 2027

Passed

Open

Approaching: < 1 mo.

Priority: < 2 weeks

Urgent: < 1 week

Registration Cost

No entry fee

About

The prepared oration must address the Constitution with emphasis on a citizen's duties and obligations. Each contestant also draws an assigned constitutional provision and speaks on it for three to five minutes with about five minutes' notice. Notes and props are barred, and five judges score independently.

Contests start locally and advance to state level, which certifies one winner per state to the national finals; the Legion covers travel and lodging for winners and a chaperone. Scholarships total more than $203,500, from $25,000 for first place to $2,000 for each state winner, usable at any U.S. college.

Entry runs through a local Legion post or state department with no stated fee, and rules before the state finals vary by state, so details depend on where you live.