ORATORICAL

The American Legion Department of Oregon

ORATORICAL INFORMATION

About the National Oratorical Contest

The American Legion’s National Oratorical Contest challenges high school students to explore and understand the U.S. Constitution while developing confidence, leadership, and communication skills. Since 1938, the program has prepared young people for citizenship through critical thinking and public speaking, while producing notable alumni such as former Vice President Mike Pence, commentator Lou Dobbs, and presidential candidate Alan Keyes.

More than a scholarship competition, the contest is an inspiring experience that restores faith in the future of our democracy. Contestants gain a deeper appreciation for the Constitution and the responsibilities of American citizenship, while building integrity, advocacy skills, and respect for civic engagement. For many participants, it’s not just about winning; it’s about discovering their voice, strengthening their character, and carrying forward the legacy of American democracy.

Students are eligible to participate if they are a citizen or lawful resident of the United States. Furthermore, all contestants must be bona fide students under the age of 20 years on the date of the National Contest and must be enrolled in high school or junior high school (public, parochial, military, private or state accredited home school) in which the curriculum of the high school is considered to be a high school level, commencing with grade nine (9) and terminating with grade twelve (12). Students must be enrolled in high school or junior high school during the time of participation at any level of the contest.

The assigned topic discourse must not consume less than three (3) minutes or more than five (5) minutes for delivery. The purpose of the assigned topic discourse is to test the speaker’s knowledge of the subject, the extent of his or her research, and the ability to discuss the topic as related to the basic principles of government under the Constitution.

The assigned topic shall be drawn by the contest official in full view of the audience immediately before the last speaker begins delivery of his or her prepared oration and will be made known to the audience and each contestant approximately five (5) minutes prior to the time of delivery. The topic will be on some phase of the U.S. Constitution, selected from Articles and Sections as listed under assigned topics for the current year’s contest in this brochure.

All contestants at each contest level are required to speak in the English language on the same assigned topic.

Assigned Topics for 2026 Oratorical Contest

Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable 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 attainted.

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.

In the Department of Oregon we have 3 contests: Post, District, and Department. Post contests are held in December, District in January, and Department in February/March. Our Department contests are made up as follows:

Every contestant must begin at the Post level; only Post level winners will advance to the District Contest. The District contest winner will advance to the Department contest. The winner of the Department contest will represent Oregon in the National contest in Indianapolis, Indiana; usually held in April. The money available for scholarships at the Department level are:

1st place: $5000
2nd place: $3500
3rd place: $2500
4th place: $2000

The overall national contest winner gets a $25,000 scholarship.

Second place takes home $22,500, and third gets $20,000.

Each department (state) winner who is certified into and participates in the national contest’s first round receives a $2,000 scholarship.

Those who advance past the first round receive an additional $2,000 scholarship.

The American Legion’s National Organization awards the scholarships, which can be used at any college or university in the United States.