Cape Coral city high school students are invited to compete in the 84th Annual American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program. The program is a multi-level contest where students first compete at the post level, then progress to the district, area and the state level. The winner of the state contest advances to the national contest held in Indianapolis, Ind., in April 2023.

The contest is open to any student in grades 9 through 12, including homeschooled students.

To compete, the student must prepare and deliver an original 8 to 10-minute speech about some aspect of our Constitution, emphasizing a citizen’s duty to their country and government. Additionally, the student will give a 3 and 5 speech on an assigned topic to test the speaker’s knowledge of one of four Constitutional subjects.

At the local post level, scheduled between Jan 1-22, 2023, the post commander will award the first-place winner a $300 scholarship, second place $200 and third $100. At the Legion district and area levels, scholarships will be $200. At the state level the awards are $500-$2,500 for the top 6 contestants. At the national finals in Indianapolis, scholarships of $25,000, $22,500 and $20,000 will be awarded to the first through third places. Each state winner who competes in the first round of the national contest will receive a $2,000 scholarship and in the second round those who do not advance to the national final round will receive an additional $2,000.

The top three orators who have won all previous elimination rounds of the contest will vie for top honors in the national competition in April.

The American Legion will pay the expenses of state winners at the national contest.

High school students in Cape Coral who are interested in entering the competition will find complete rules and contest information at www.floridalegion.org/oratorical

Students can enter by contacting Ted Clark, American Legion Post 90 Oratorical Chair at 845-527-7948 or 239-540-8128 or alpost90cape@yahoo.com or Tedclark12@gmail.com