MADISON – American Legion Post, Post 229 in Madison is inviting high school students in Madison County to compete in the 81st annual American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program.

“The oratorical contest presents our county high school students with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership skills, history of the nation’s laws, ability to think and speak clearly and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship,” Madison County oratorical chairman Tom McKinney said.

Recently, the Department of Alabama American Legion organization mailed letters to all Alabama high schools announcing the contest. Legionnaires have arranged the contest for Madison County students with cooperation of local school officials. Students can contact the career/college counselor at their school for contest details.

The competition’s first level will start on Jan. 13, 2018 at 9 a.m. at Madison City Hall, 100 Hughes Road. Madison County’s winner will be eligible to advance in the contest to district, division, and state levels of competition.

“The subject in the contest’s prepared oration portion must be about some phase of the U.S. Constitution, emphasizing duties and obligations of a citizen to the United States government,” McKinney said. “The contest also will include an assigned subject allowing the contestants to speak briefly on a specific constitutional matter.”

“Monetary awards will be presented at each competition level for the first three places. Winners at each level will progress to the next level,” McKinney said.

The state winner will receive scholarships of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 for the top three places, respectively. The state winner will advance to national finals in Indianapolis, Ind. in April 2018.

The national level will include Round 1, Round 2 and Final. “Each state winner who competes in the national contest’s first round will receive a $1,500 scholarship,” McKinney said. “Participants in the second round who do not advance to the national final round will receive an additional $1,500 scholarship.”

The top three youth orators who have won all previous elimination rounds will receive college scholarships of $18,000, $16,000 and $14,000, respectively. American Legion will pay travel and lodging expenses of state winners at the national contest.

For complete rules and contest information, visit legion.org/oratorical. For other questions, email mckinn911@aol.com.