MADISON – Youth who plan to enter the Madison County American Legion’s High School Oratorical Scholarship Program must register by Jan. 8, 2022.

“The High School Oratorical Scholarship Program is still scheduled for Jan. 22, 2022. This fall, Madison County and Madison City high schools were emailed the official rules and a blank biographical sketch,” Jean Downs said. Downs serves as Vice Commander of  American Legion, Post 229.

The first level of competition will start at 10 a.m. on Jan. 22, 2022 at Madison City Hall, 100 Hughes Road.

“The oratorical contest presents our Madison County high school students with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership skills, history of select U.S. laws, ability to think and speak clearly and an understanding of duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship,” Danny Marr said. A member of Post 229, Marr is serving as contest chair.

Students who enter the contest must be citizens of or lawful permanent residents of the United States. Contestants must be younger than 20 years old on the date of the national contest in late April 2022.

Contestants should note that Legionnaires have released an update for the American Legion Oratorical Contest.

Contestants must be enrolled in high school or junior high school during the time of participation at any level of the oratorical contest.

To initially qualify, candidates must email a biographical sketch no later than Jan. 8, 2022 to the local oratorical committee at oratorical@americanlegionpost229.org. For questions, email commander@americanlegionpost229.org.

Madison County’s contest winner will advance to compete in the 12th District, 1st Division and State of Alabama Department competitions. At each competition level, winners in the top three places will receive monetary awards. For the top three winners, Post 229 will award $300, $200 and $100 respectively for the initial contest.