2 0 0 9   H I G H  S C H O O L   O R A T O R I C A L  C O N T E S T

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THE 2009 AMERICAN LEGION HIGH SCHOOL ORATORICAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

“A CONSTITUTIONAL SPEECH CONTEST”

2009 ORATORICAL CONTEST:

The Oratorical Scholarship Program in Texas will begin in November, 2008 when high school students will enter competition to qualify for the National Oratorical Program, with an ultimate award of $160,000 in scholarships.  Posts and schools may hold local contests during the Fall of 2008 if they so desire.  Whenever possible, it is recommended that the Oratorical Program be presented before the student body of a high school.  It is strongly recommended that the National Rules be strictly followed in all contests.  Any Post wishing to bid for hosting the 2010 Department Program should have their bid in Department by September 10, 2008.

SELECTION OF CONTESTANTS AND DATES:

1. Each high school in the state may select representatives and hold its own elimination contest after October 29, 2008, but not later than January 1, 2009, and certify the winner to the local American Legion Americanism Chairman or Post Commander, who will certify such winner to the District Americanism Chairman.  A Post may sponsor a winner from each high school in its general area to the District Contest.

2. District Contests shall be held on or after January 2, 2009, but not later than January 20, 2009 at such place as may be directed by the District Chairman, and the winner certified to the Division Americanism Chairman.

3. Division Contests shall be held on or after January 21, 2009, but not later than February 10, 2009, at such place as may be directed by the Division Chairman, and the winner certified by each Division Chairman to Department Headquarters, P.O. Box 140527, Austin, TX 78714-0527.  Should the winner decline to participate in the Department Finals for any reason, the first runner-up should then be certified as the participant by the Division Chairman.

   4. The American Legion, Department of Texas, Oratorical Program Finals, will be held Monday, February 16, 2009 (February 23 ALTERNATE) in Kerrville, Texas.  Department Headquarters will certify the winner to the National Americanism Commission not later than March 2, 2009.  The National Finals will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 4-5, 2009, at the IUPUI Conference Center & Hotel.

SUPERVISION OF CONTEST:

1.  The Americanism Chairman in charge of each Contest shall have full control and supervision of each Contest and his decisions shall be final.  The Department Oratorical Chairman will direct the Department Contest.  Official judging cards, tabulation forms, and timekeeper forms can be found in the Post Oratorical Chairman's Guide. Extra forms can be furnished upon request.

AWARDS:

   1. The American Legion Post may present a scholarship or such awards to the winner of the High School Contest as it chooses so long as such awards have no monetary value. 

   2. The American Legion, Department of Texas, will award: Each Division winner will receive a certificate for participation in the Department Finals and a medal for their standing in the contest.  An attractive plaque is presented in appreciation to the school of each participant in the Department Contest. 

   3. The winner of first place will be certified to National Headquarters as the Texas representative in the Quarter Finals Contest by March 2, 2009, and the Department will award a $2,000 scholarship to the college of his/her choice; 2nd place - $1,500 scholarship; 3rd place $1,000; 4th place $500 (provided the winner enters college in the fall term after graduation from high school). 

   4. The Department Champion will receive an additional $1,500 scholarship from National provided he/she participates in the Quarter Finals and an additional $1,500 scholarship from National if the participant advances to the Semi Finals Contest and does not advance to the National Finals. Competitors at National Finals are awarded scholarships as follows; 1st - $18,000; 2nd - $16,000; 3rd - $14,000. 

FINANCES:

   1.  The Department assumes no liability for the expenses of any individual contestant in connection with any High School, District or Division Contest.                

   2.  Meals, hotel expenses, plus .25¢ per mile round trip for contestant and one adult in car for Division winners will be paid by the Department to the State Contest.  (No air travel is authorized.)  Such expenses will be paid to the adult chaperon or to the Post.  No monies are to be paid directly to the contestant to protect his/her future eligibility to participate in the Interscholastic League.  Contestant's actual expenses will be reimbursed. 

   3.  The winner of the Department Contest will represent the State of Texas in the National Contests and expenses for such contestant will be provided in accordance with the National Rules.

COPIES OF MANUSCRIPT:

1.     All Division Winners must submit one copy of their prepared oration to the Department Chairman before competing in the State Final Contest.  (This copy is to be forwarded by the Department Chairman to Department Headquarters for record purposes along with the Chairman's written report.)

2008 ORATORICAL CONTEST WINNERS:

1st Place –        Kyle Evora, Lewisville, Post 71, District 13, Division 1      

2nd Place –       Matthew Johnson, Post 72, District 2, Division 2              

3rd Place –       Jacklyn McKee, Post 308, District 21, Division 4

4th Place –        Angelek Marler, Post 2, District 20, Division 3