American Legion Oratorical contest
2025 Mn District #7 Oratorical Contest
Sunday February 2, 2025 ---1:00PM
Willmar Am. Legion Post
Scholarships Prizes 1st $ 800. 2nd-$400. 3rd $200.00
American Legion- D#7 ORATORICAL CONTEST
-" Defined "
“A constitutional speech contest” Click on to =Download Defined Speech
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 winner gets a $25,000 scholarship. Second place takes home $22,500, and third gets $20,00 on a National level. Each department\ (state) winner who is certified into and participates in the national contest’s 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.
Contact your local Pos# XX?x, Mn to start your journey or contact the Department of Minnesota The American Legion at department@mnlegion.org .
*****--Link Download -2025 Pamphlet Details------
*******---Link Download Application Student & Post Form here
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2025 Department/State of Mn Contest DATE-- February 22,
Location: Post #102 Anoka & Post # 102 Osseo
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District #7 Chairman Rueben Nathe-426 Brown Avenue, Litchfield, Mn 55355 -Ph:
320-593-8654- E:Mail Ruebenn@hutchtel.net
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2024-Results
District #7 Contest= 1st Place Madison Price $800.00 Scholarship
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-Dpt of Mn Contest--
2024 Madison Price- Eden Valley takes 4th place Scholarship $500.
1st Place Oratorical District #7 Contest February 4, 2024..--- See below District Press Release
Madison Price competed in the Department of Minnesota Contest February 24th in Anoka, Mn
Madison won the Department 4th Place Award and a $500.00 Scholarship
Total Scholarship funds she won District & Department $1,300. ,
Be sure to Congratulate Madison & thank her for competing.
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AMERICANISM MISSION To give our youth an education that shall be American in character= |
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to enable them to act as well as to think - |
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to execute as well as to conceive - |
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to tolerate all opinions when reason is left free to combat them- |
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to make moral, patriotic, efficient, and useful citizens- |
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to qualify them for all those high responsibilities |
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resting upon a citizen of this free republic. |
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Information & Sign up Forms...... District #7 -- Each Post sponsors their candidate to compete. Posts may conduct their own contest to determine which candidate will represent them. The local contests may allow some exceptions. D#7 Posts should have their candidate complete application form and E:mail them to District Chairmanan. Contact District Chair at least 2 weeks or earlier before District #7 contest. Contact District # Chairman for additional information--
For Student Information and Reference... See Below on this page You-Tube Video's of Past National Oratorication Champions 10 Minute presentations.
Open & Click on Pamphlet ====/files/2024_BB_pamphlet_D7__P1__0RATORICAL__2024.docx
APPLICATION FORM==open & Click on Post Contestant Application Form /files/D70APP~2.XLSApplication.xlsx
Link to === - Rules Form- MS Word format
Subject- Speech Contest about Constitution of the United States-
Objectives: The development of leadership qualities, preparation for the acceptance of the
duties & responsibilities, rights and privilege of American citizenship.
Scholarship Funds are provided.
2025 DISTRICT #7 ORATORICAL CONTEST 
Sunday February 2, 2025 1:00PM ---***-- Hosted By: American Legion -Willmar, Mn
District #7 Scholarship Awards
1ST PLACE $800.00 2ND PLACE $400.00 3RD PLACE $200.00
---Link to Post Information -Click on
------Link to You-tube National Champions- for reference..***
RULES LINK--
List of Former National Champions & Runner up's
Champion only advances to Department\State Contest-=Below
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2024-Department \ State Contest
- February 24, 2024At Anoka & Osseo Am. Legion's
2024- Department Scholarshp Awards
1st $1500. 2nd 1000. 3rd 700. 4th 500.
Champion only advances to NATIONAL Contest-Below
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2025
Coming.....Details To be Determined
2024 NATIONAL ORATORICAL CONTEST
Report
National Oratorical Contest Scholarships
1st $25,000. 2nd $22,500. 3rd $20,000.
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American Legion District #7-- 2024 NEWS RELEASE
National High School Oratorical Contest 2024 News Release-101 On Sunday February 4. 2024 District #7 of the Minnesota American Legion held its annual Oratorical Contest which was hosted by the Willmar American Legion. The Chairman Rueben Nathe of Litchfield, Mn conducted the contest. He was assisted by District Commander Jan Ekert of Kingston & members of the Willmar Am. Legion and many volunteers from throughout the 14 counties of the 7th District.
The purpose of the American Legion’s High School (9ththrough 12th grades) Oratorical Contest is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of High School students, and to win scholarship money. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship.
The 2024 1ST Place Champion & Award winner is Madison Price High School 12th Grader
of Eden Valley-Watkins school District. Madison will receive a $800.00 scholarship and the opportunity to advance to represent the Seventh District in the State/Department contest.
2nd Place award winner of Belgrade Alison Sarsland she is a High School :Junior of the New London -Spicer school district and will receive a $400.00 Scholarship award.
3rd Place award—No Contestant
The Minnesota Dept\State contest will be held Saturday February 24th It will be hosted by the OSSEO & ANOKA American Legion Posts. The Minnesota Contest winners will receive scholarship awards 1st place $1,500. 2nd place, $1,000. 3rd place $700., 4th place $500. – The Minnesota winner will advance to the National Contest-
The National Contest will be held May 17-19, 2024 in Hillsdale, Michigan The National winners will receive scholarship awards 1st place $25,000. 2nd place $22,500. 3rd place $20,000. Each Department\State winner who participates in the first round of the National Contest will receive a $2,000 scholarship+ if advancing to the 2nd level an additional $2,000.
Congratulations Madison —We all wish Madison the best as she competes in the Department contests.
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2023 District #7 Oratorical Contest
- Rules Form- MS Word format
2023 DISTRICT #7 ORATORICAL CONTEST -News Release
American Legion District #7 & National High School Oratorical Contest News Release-101
On Sunday February 5. 2023 District #7 of Minnesota American Legion held its annual Oratorical Contest which was hosted by the Willmar American Legion. The Chairman Rueben Nathe of Litchfield, Mn conducted the contest. He was assisted by District Commander Karen Welander a member of the Willmar Am. Legion and many volunteers from throughout the 14 counties of the 7th District. Our host was Willmar Post #167 who also provided volunteers. 
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The 2023 1ST Place award winner is Megan Blonigen of rural Paynesville and Eden Valley High School 11th Grader of Eden Valley-Watkins Megan will receive a $700.00 scholarship and the opportunity to advance to represent the Seventh District in the State/Department contest. Megan also won the District 7 Contest lst year, she advanced to the Department\Sate Contest and advanced to the National Contest & advanced to the semi -finals and earned $6,200. in scholarship funds.
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The Minnesota Dept\State contest will be held Saturday February 26th It will be hosted by the OSSEO & ANOKA American Legion Posts. The Minnesota Contest winners will receive scholarship awards 1st place $1,500. 2nd place, $1,000. 3rd place $700., 4th place $500. – The Minnesota winner will advance to the National Contest-
The National Contest will be held April 21-23, 2023 Indianapolis, Indiana The National winners will receive scholarship awards 1st place $25,000. 2nd place, $22,500. 3rd place 20,000. Each Department\State winner who participates in the first round of the National Contest will receive a $2,000 scholarship+ if advancing to the 2nd level an additional $2,000.
Congratulations Megan —Former District Champions
CHAMPIONS & Runner-ups
2024 Madison Price---- Eden Valley 2nd Alison Sarsland- New London
2023 Megan Blonigen- - Eden Valley + Dept. \State-Champion 2nd ==- Trevor Crusoe- Litchfiel
2022 Megan Blonigen- -Eden Valley + Dept\State Champion 2nd == Britney Prahl- Litchfield
2021 Hazel Chvatal- Litchfield +Dept.\State Champion 2nd= Logan Muonio- Watkins
2020- Miles Kerstein- Litchfield-- 2nd None
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References of Actual Video Presentations from Past National Contests Champions
CLICK ON YOU -TUBE VIDEO- -- -Past Sample - Past Nat'l Contests Winners
- #101 -NATIONAL CONTEST- 2019 FINALIST #101 ------MALE
#102 NATIONAL CONTEST- 2019 FINALIST #102----FEMALE
-#2022-National Contest-2022 CHAMPION & Finalist # 2022 - FEMALE
National Link for information from previous contestant videos can also be found at or Click on www.legion.org/oratorical
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Information about District #7 Oratorical CONTEST- ***
1. All MN Post Commander or Adjutants should have received the
Oratorical Contest FLYER with details from Deptment --October or November.
2. Each District #7 Post may submit one Champion for District #7 Contest.
3. Local Posts may conduct a local Contest to determine their Contest Champion to represent them.
4. Posts should register and reserve a spot for Contest ASAP or two weeks prior to District Contest. Contact District #7 Oratorical Contest District 7 Chairperson if questions or need of additional information.
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Rueben Nathe, Litchfield E:mail ruebenn@hutchtel.net **Phone 320-593-8654
- Leave a message if not home ---We'll return your call. Thank You
Past years Contest Champions
-National Contest-2022 CHAMPION & Finalist 2022 - FEMALE-- == You-tube Click on
2022--EMMA NOBLE- Alabama-
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See National Finalist Video's- bottom-- below :
2022 CONGRATULATIONS MEGAN BLONIGEN-District #7
2022 DISTRICT 7 CHAMPION Megan Blonigen of Eden Valley-Watkins advanced to the Department/State Contest and for the second year in a roll District #7 advanced to the Championship.
Megan won the Department/State Contest and this year moves on to the National Contest to be held April 22,23,24, 2022 at National Headquarters in Indiannapolis, In-- Congratulations to the Eden Valley Post and Megan Blonigen District #7 is very proud of your accomplishments and wishes you the best of luck as you go for the National Scholarship and the 1st Prize of $25,000. Win it all Megan... We are cheering for you. 
2022
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2021 Hazel Chvatal HS Sr of Litchfield was
District #7 & Minnesota State Champion
Hazel's winnings from local, District and State were $7,700. - COVID #19 cancelled the National Contest.
The purpose of The American Legion’s National High School Oratorical Contest is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, the rights and privileges of American citizenship.
Contests: -- National/ Mn/Department/State/Mn //
/ Mn District 7 /// Local Post\Community Programs
Suggest that Posts appoint an Americanism Chairman and or an Oratorical Contest Chairperson. Include your Auxiliairy-SAL to support.
It is sometimes hard to find students interested in a speech contest. However, the scholarship prizes are great that the American Legion offers are well worth the effort. See below.
Local Posts might also offer a scholarship but is not required to do so to enter a local student in the District Contest. Posts only need to determine annually who will represent their Post by contacting District # 7 Oratorical Contest Chairman .
If District #7 Posts have more than one contestant they should conduct a local contest. Posts can be more flexible when conducting the local contest by allowing notes and prompting. The extemporaneous feature or assigned topics is not required for the local contest.
Suggest Posts contact local school district Councelsors or Principle to assist in any way by communicating with the students. Get them the information
Links for information from previous contestant videos can be found at
Oratorical Contest | The American Legion
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NOTES: DISTRICT #7 Oratorical CONTEST-
1. Each District #7 Post can submit one Champion for District Contest.
2. All MN Post adjutants should have received the Dept/State flyer in October.
3. Posts should register and reserve a spot for Contest ASAP or two weeks prior to District Contest. If District #7 has less than 5 registered contestants as of two weeks prior to Contest-
Posts may also send their 2nd place local contestant. Check with chairperson if allowed.
Contact District #7 Oratorical Contest District 7 Chairperson if questions or need of additional information.
***********************************************************Thank You
Rueben Nathe, Litchfield -
E:mail ruebenn@hutchtel.net
--Phone 320-593-8654 - Leave a message if not home ---I'll call you get back.
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CLICK ON YOU -TUBE VIDEO- -----SAMPLE SPEECH
- NATIONAL CONTEST- 2019 FINALIST #101 -------------------MALE
--NATIONAL CONTEST- 2019 FINALIST #102----FEMALE
Click on below for Video of Champion's presentation.
--National Contest-2022 CHAMPION & Finalist