About the Oratorical 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 president candidate Alan Keyes and CNN anchor Lou Dobbs.
Young orators earn some of the most generous college scholarships available to high school students. 
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 eight to 10 minutes long; three- to five-minute speeches on an assigned topic also are part of the contest.

2025 Oratorical Schedule

Post: To finish no later than March 15, 2025

District: To finish no later than March 22, 2025

Department: March 29, 2025 in Helena, MT

National: May 16-18, 2025 in Hillsdale, MI

Oratorical Scholarship Awards

Post and District awards vary depending on the Post or District commitment to the program.

All contestants will receive $175.00 after registering at the Department contest

Department Scholarship awards are $5,000 for 1st Place, $1,500 for 2nd Place, $500 for 3rd Place and $500 for 4th Place.

The Department winner competes at the National Contest for the chance at additional scholarships. 


Additional Information

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How to Participate

Rules and information for participation


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Assigned Topics

Review the assigned topics for upcoming oratorical contest.


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Additional Resources

How to conduct a contest, rules, judges scorecard, brochures and more

Past Department of Montana Oratorical Champions

1941 Leo Graybill, Jr Great Falls

1942 Leo Graybill, Jr Great Falls

1943 Robert Ripley Kalispell

1944 Robert Ripley Kalispell 3rd National

1945 Frank S Gonzales Helena

1946 William Kotz Great Falls

1947 Allan Coleman Bozeman

1948 Elizabeth Booth Helena

1949 Claire Sorrells Billings

1950 Colleen Tierney Butte

1951 Gerald Rutan Great Falls

1952 John Dreibelbis Billings

1953 William Huber Lewistown

1954 James Huber Lewistown

1955 William Kearns Miles City

1956 Paul Ulrich Butte

1957 Maribeth Sullivan Butte

1958 John Prestbo Chinook

1959 John Prestbo Chinook

1960 Larry Fasbendery Great Falls

1961 John Ross Fromberg

1962 Pat Bailey Great Falls

1963 Walter Kirkpatrick Billings

1964 Donna Pentz Poplar

1965 Mike Anderson Bozeman

1966 Mike Mahglen Lewistown

1967 Rick Beck Deer Lodge

1968 John D Skate Twin Bridges

1969 John D Skate Twin Bridges

1970 Bill Salina Great Falls

1971 Chuck Volf Judith Gap

1972 Robert Lock Great Falls

1973 Colleen Gallogly Great Falls 3rd National

1974 Alan Muskett Missoula

1975 Alan Muskatt Missoula

1976 Gary Muskatt Missoula

1977 Gary Muskett Missoula

1978 Howard Stone Billings

1979 Isobel Endlichhofer Polson

1980 Jeff Shular Twin Bridges

1981 Ellen Jennings Great Falls

1982 Aaron D Barnhart Billings


1983 Aaron D Barnhart Billings

1984 Todd Sundsted Plentywood

1985 Daniel M Handcock Butte

1986 Frank Sennett Missoula

1987 Sarah Mae Mitchell Vaughn

1988 Andrea Friednauer Missoula

1989 Angela King Twin Bridges

1990 Allison Hughes Polson

1991 Jana Sundheim Froid

1992 Jason Korensky Butte

1993 John Lokey Missoula

1994 Jason Theilman Columbia Falls 4th National

1995 Stephanie Davis Livingston

1996 Jenny Guffin Missoula

1997 Nathan Trimpano Lewistown

1998 Elizabeth LaBonty Missoula

1999 Kevin Grove Moccasin

2000 Jeremy Hodges Whitefish

2001 Tyler Cegler Stevensville

2002 Robin Brown Whitefish

2003 Sara Crogan Belgrade

2004 Mary Milodragovich Butte

2005 Heidi Grove Moccasin

2006 Kayla Pierce Belgrade

2007 Kathleen Brown Belgrade

2008 Kaitlyn Lamb Whitefish

2009 Kristi Lee Forsyth


2010 Katherine Sizemore Gildford

2011 Josh McCaffrey Butte

2012 Mark Schmutzler Helena

2013 Shae Rowe Helena

2014 Jackson Smith Missoula

2015 Gavin Sison Butte

2016 Michael Fuller Helena

2017 Michael McKay Corvallis

2018 Norris Blossom Helena

2019 Sierra Dilworth Kalispell

2020 Scott O’Donnell Kalispell

2021 Emmy Martin Harlowton

2022 Ella Henslee Big Sky

2023 Ella Pheifer Kalispell

2024 Jaci Pheifer Kalispell

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