John C Looker | Oratorical Committee Chairman
Phone: 513-290-4511 | Email: jclooker1@gmail.com
Christie White | Oratorical Committee Staff Liaison
Phone: 740-513-5199 | Email: programs@ohiolegion.com
Summary of the Oratorical Program:
The Oratorical Program is a function of the American Legions’ “Americanism Pillar”. The Oratorical Program is a constitutional speech contest for high school students and it offers scholarships upwards of $25,000. The contest has a prepared oration and an assigned topic which is assigned the day of the contest. The prepared oration must be on some aspect of the Constitution, with emphasis on a citizen’s duties and obligations to our government. The same subject and oration used in the department contest must be used in the national contest. 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.
A Champion is Crowned!
Katherine Toepfer – District 9 – Department Contest Winner
- Adam Smith, District 1
- Allison Dirksen, District 2
- Gabriel Schutte, District 3
- Alisa Zhao, District 4 – Runner-up
- Srinidhi Valahappan, District 4
- Sarah Betterson, District 5
- Chase Hamilton, District 8
- Katherine Toepfer, District 9 – Winner
- Kaden Knappenberger, District 10
- Minerva Rajkumar, District 12
- Kandace McConnell, District 12
A very special THANK YOU to all of our volunteers and individuals who came out to support the contestants. This contest or program would not be the same without you! You are all absolutely amazing. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Good Luck at the National Contest, Katherine! We know you will represent Ohio well!
Since 1938, The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program has encouraged the nation’s high school students to study the U.S. Constitution and to hone their public speaking skills.
2024 State Oratorical Contestants
