Oratorical Contest
The purpose of The American Legion’s National High School Oratorical Contest is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students. 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. Winners of the contest are eligible for scholarship money at the different levels.
Dates for the Utah Oratorical Contests are:
Post 27 (Davis County Courthouse) 5:00pm 1/24/26
District 2 2/21/26
Department/State 3/21/26
National (Hillsdale College, MI) 5/15-17, 2026
- Quarterfinal and Semifinal
- Finals
Scholarship Amounts:
At the Post Level:
1st Place: TBC
2nd Place: TBC
3rd Place: TBC
At the District Level:
1st Place: TBC
2nd Place: TBC
3rd Place: $TBC
At the Department (State)
Level: 1st Place: TBC
2nd Place: TBC
3rd Place: TBC
At the National Level:
1st Place: $25,000.00
2nd Place: $22,500.00
3rd Place: $20,000.00
For more information and resources: Oratorical Contest | The American Legion
The 2026 Oratorical Contest will cover the Assigned Topics:
Amendment IV The right of the people to be sure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against reasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Article III, Section 3 Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court. The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of Treason, but no attainder of Treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture except during the life of the person attained.
Article IV, Section 4 The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican form of government and shall protect each of them against invasion; and on application of the legislature, or of the executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic violence.
Article VI, Clause 3 The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.
2023 Post 27 Winners
POC: Daniel Woodward
EMAIL: 2ndvice@post27.org