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News Release ---------
2025 POST #104 Litchfield Oratorical Contest
Litchfield, American Legion Nelsan-Horton Post # 104
High School Oratorical Contest
On Tuesday January 28. 2025 American Legion, Nelsan-Horton Post #104, Litchfield, Mn conducted the annual American Legion High School Oratorical Contest at Litchfield Senior High.
This Oratorical Contest ask students to prepare an 8–10-minute oration which must be on some aspect of the United States Constitution with emphasis on citizen’s duties and obligations to our government. It is part of a Post, District, State\Dept. and National contest. With the Champions of each contest advancing at each level. The American Legion provides scholarship funds at every level of the contest. The National Contest provides $25,000 to the 1st Place champion. Winning contestantss will have the opportunity to advance from the local Post competition to District, State\Department and the National Contest. Each contest provides scholarship funds. The National Contest will be held May 16-18, 2025 in Hillsdale, Michigan.
The Litchfield Post #104 and it’s 2025 1st Place Champion will receive a scholarship of $500.00 and advance to the Seventh District American Legion contest which will be held at the Willmar American Legion on February 2nd at 1PM. - 1st Place Scholarship is $800.00. Additional scholarship prizes for 2nd, 3rd will be available. The 1st Place winner of the 7th District contest will advance to the State\Dept. of MN contest to be held on February 22th where the 1st place scholarship is $1,500. The winner will advance to the National American Legion High School Oratorical Contest. All expenses are provided by the American Legion and their various contests.
Results from the Post #104 local 2025 Oratorical Contest were determined as follows.
First place honors, and a $500.00 scholarship, was won by WILLIAM Pennertz who is the son of Richard & Heidi Pennertz of Litchfield for his oration. William is a senior attending Litchfield High School. Congratulations William . We wish you great success as you advance to the Legion District #7 & future contests as you represent Litchfield. No other contestants from Litchfield applied to compete for these scholarship funds.
Post #104 thanks the Litchfield High School staff for their assistance and Post #104 volunteers--------
Committee members: Brenda Rick, of the Auxiliary and High School Staff HS principal Jason Michels, and Counselor, Laura Nelson for their assistance.
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February 2, 2025 Am. Legion District #7 Contest....
William Pennertz Litchfield entered the D#7 Contest and took 2nd place and was awarded $400.00 in Scholarship funds. D#7 Champion was Alyson Johnson of Willmar who was awarded $800.00 in Scholarship funds and she will advance to the State\Dept Contest Feb 22, 2025-- Allison Sarsland of New London placed 3rd and was awarded $200.00 in scholarship funds.
Congratulations to the Champion and all the Contestants. To William Pennertz Post #104 representative Congratulations and thank you for participating and representing Litchfield. William totaled $900.00 in scholarship funds.
Be sure to congratulate him when you see him.
2025 POST #104 Litchfield Oratorical Contest
Litchfield, American Legion Nelsan-Horton Post # 104
High School Oratorical Contest
On Tuesday January 28. 2025 American Legion, Nelsan-Horton Post #104, Litchfield, Mn conducted the annual American Legion High School Oratorical Contest at Litchfield Senior High.
This Oratorical Contest ask students to prepare an 8–10-minute oration which must be on some aspect of the United States Constitution with emphasis on citizen’s duties and obligations to our government. It is part of a Post, District, State\Dept. and National contest. With the Champions of each contest advancing at each level. The American Legion provides scholarship funds at every level of the contest. The National Contest provides $25,000 to the 1st Place champion. Winning contestantss will have the opportunity to advance from the local Post competition to District, State\Department and the National Contest. Each contest provides scholarship funds. The National Contest will be held May 16-18, 2025 in Hillsdale, Michigan.
The Litchfield Post #104 and it’s 2025 1st Place Champion will receive a scholarship of $500.00 and advance to the Seventh District American Legion contest which will be held at the Willmar American Legion on February 2nd at 1PM. - 1st Place Scholarship is $800.00. Additional scholarship prizes for 2nd, 3rd will be available. The 1st Place winner of the 7th District contest will advance to the State\Dept. of MN contest to be held on February 22th where the 1st place scholarship is $1,500. The winner will advance to the National American Legion High School Oratorical Contest. All expenses are provided by the American Legion and their various contests.
Results from the Post #104 local 2025 Oratorical Contest were determined as follows.
First place honors, and a $500.00 scholarship, was won by WILLIAM Pennertz who is the son of Richard & Heidi Pennertz of Litchfield for his oration. William is a senior attending Litchfield High School. Congratulations William . We wish you great success as you advance to the Legion District #7 & future contests as you represent Litchfield. No other contestants from Litchfield applied to compete for these scholarship funds.
Post #104 thanks the Litchfield High School staff for their assistance and Post #104 volunteers--------
Committee members: Brenda Rick, of the Auxiliary and High School Staff HS principal Jason Michels, and Counselor, Laura Nelson for their assistance.
**********************************************
February 2, 2025 Am. Legion District #7 Contest....
William Pennertz Litchfield entered the D#7 Contest and took 2nd place and was awarded $400.00 in Scholarship funds. D#7 Champion was Alyson Johnson of Willmar who was awarded $800.00 in Scholarship funds and she will advance to the State\Dept Contest Feb 22, 2025-- Allison Sarsland of New London placed 3rd and was awarded $200.00 in scholarship funds.
Congratulations to the Champion and all the Contestants. To William Pennertz Post #104 representative Congratulations and thank you for participating and representing Litchfield. William totaled $900.00 in scholarship funds.
Be sure to congratulate him when you see him.
for 2025 Post #104 Litchfield Oratorical Contest
Week of January 20th
Post #104 Will again sponsor a Oratorical Contest-for High School Students
based on a speech contest the subject being the U. S. Constitution.
Local Litchfield P#104 Contest ---Scholarship Prize & Funds offered...
1st Place $500. 2nd $250. 3rd 125. 4-6 TBD=====
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The Champion Moves on to District #7 Competition February 2nd
It's available to High School students Grades 9 thru 12-- Pass the information to all Students.
Week of January 20th
Post #104 Will again sponsor a Oratorical Contest-for High School Students
based on a speech contest the subject being the U. S. Constitution.
Local Litchfield P#104 Contest ---Scholarship Prize & Funds offered...
1st Place $500. 2nd $250. 3rd 125. 4-6 TBD=====
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The Champion Moves on to District #7 Competition February 2nd
It's available to High School students Grades 9 thru 12-- Pass the information to all Students.
2025 Oratorical Contest Litchfield-Applications available -LHS Contact HS-Counselors - or P#104
Submit Application ASAP so planning can begin for students
Submit Application ASAP so planning can begin for students
Define the Oratorical Speech Program
“A constitutional speech contest”
The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship. The program has featured numerous politicians and prominent contestants over the years, including former Presidents & National television commentators and talk show hosts.
2025--large Scholarship awards & Prizes . Young orators earn some of the most generous college scholarships available to high school students. Over $203,500 in scholarships can be awarded each year. The overall National Contest Champion receives a $25,000. award & scholarship.--- Second place receives a $22,500. scholarship and Third place receives a $20,000 scholarship. Each department\ (state) winner who is certified into and participates in the national contest receives First round receives a $2,000 scholarship. Those who advance past the first round receive an additional $2,000 scholarship. The American Legion’s National Organization awards the scholarships, which can be used at any college or university in the United States.
High school students under age 20 are eligible. Competition begins at the post level and advances to a state competition. Legion department representatives certify one winner per state to the national contest, where department winners compete against each other in two speaking rounds. The contest caps off with a final round that decides the three top finishers.
Speaking subjects must be on some aspect of the U.S. Constitution, with some emphasis on the duties and obligations of citizens to our government. Speeches are 8 to 10 minutes long; plus a 3- to 5-minute speech on an assigned topic also are part of the contest.
NOTE: For local D#7 Mn Posts holding local contests exceptions to National rules may be allowed. ie: like not including the assigned topic feature—or allowing notes.
However, the D#7 contest follows all National rules.
“A constitutional speech contest”
The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship. The program has featured numerous politicians and prominent contestants over the years, including former Presidents & National television commentators and talk show hosts.
2025--large Scholarship awards & Prizes . Young orators earn some of the most generous college scholarships available to high school students. Over $203,500 in scholarships can be awarded each year. The overall National Contest Champion receives a $25,000. award & scholarship.--- Second place receives a $22,500. scholarship and Third place receives a $20,000 scholarship. Each department\ (state) winner who is certified into and participates in the national contest receives First round receives a $2,000 scholarship. Those who advance past the first round receive an additional $2,000 scholarship. The American Legion’s National Organization awards the scholarships, which can be used at any college or university in the United States.
High school students under age 20 are eligible. Competition begins at the post level and advances to a state competition. Legion department representatives certify one winner per state to the national contest, where department winners compete against each other in two speaking rounds. The contest caps off with a final round that decides the three top finishers.
Speaking subjects must be on some aspect of the U.S. Constitution, with some emphasis on the duties and obligations of citizens to our government. Speeches are 8 to 10 minutes long; plus a 3- to 5-minute speech on an assigned topic also are part of the contest.
NOTE: For local D#7 Mn Posts holding local contests exceptions to National rules may be allowed. ie: like not including the assigned topic feature—or allowing notes.
However, the D#7 contest follows all National rules.
Post #104 Legion Scholarships & Programs
Print on pamphlet listing of Oratorical Contest
Print on pamphlet listing of Oratorical Contest
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American Legion Post #104
222 North Sibley, Litchfield, Minnesota Litchfield, Minnesota 55355 ** Lounge 320-693-9074 --Admin Office 320-693-2350 EMail: amlegion@hutchtel.net |