STILL SERVING AMERICA

2009 National Oratorical Contest Results

Kristina Lee, a Junior from Forsyth, reached the quarter finals of the 2009 National Oratorical Contest. Kristina was the winnder to the 2009 Department contest, and was sponsored by Forsyth Post #39. Kristina received a $1,500 scholarship for making the semi-finals, and a $1,500 scholarship for reaching the quarter finals.

Andrew Dykstal, a high school senior from Lafayette, Ind., capped a busy weekend of competition in Indianapolis by earning an $18,000 college scholarship and first place in The American Legion National High School Oratorical Scholarship Program – "A Constitutional Speech Contest." His winning oration was titled "A More Perfect Union." In his speech, "A More Perfect Union," Dykstal spoke of how the Constitution only works with an active, vigilant citizenry. "Unless the people are actively involved in pursuing the welfare of the nation, our government is like a bicycle without a competent rider; unstable and inclined to wander."

Caroline Heydinger, of Brattleboro, Vt., earned a $16,000 college scholarship with a second place finish, while Werner Ferrone, of Homosassa, Fla, earned a $14,000 scholarship and finished third. The scholarships account for a small portion of the roughly $3.5 million in post-secondary scholarships that The American Legion, the nation’s largest veterans organization, awards annually.

In each round of the weekend competition, orators delivered a rehearsed 8 to 10 minute address and a randomly assigned 3 to 5 minute oration on a constitutional topic, each without the benefit of notes and in front of a live audience, including the judges. The 2.6-million member American Legion developed the contest to encourage young people to improve their communications skills and to study the U.S. Constitution.

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