American Legion Oratorical Contest
1. Link= D#7- Posts Information in registering your Candidate- Contestant.
2. Link= Oratorical Contest Defined..-Details Why we conduct the program.
3. Links= on prior Contests by year= 25- 2025 - 24-2024 -23-2023 - 22-2022 - 21-2021 - 20-2020 - 19-2019
4 Link=Listing of Past D#7-Contests- Champions & Contestants
5 Link= Contestants ---Click on You-Tube Video Past National Champions for reference.-
6. Link=American Legion- Americanism Mission
D37 Champ Alyson Johnson Takes 2nd place in the 2025 Department \State Oratorical Contest- and $1,000.
2025 Mn District #7 Oratorical Contest Feb 2, 2025--------25-2025
$800 
-- $400- --
-- $200 --
2025 Champion Champion Alyson Johnson, Willmar-- 2nd William Pennertz--- -3rd Alison Sarsland
Mn District #7 Contest News Release-
On Sunday February 2. 2025 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 #7 Commander Carl Wilson of Brandon, Mn & members of the volunteers from throughout the 14 counties of the 7th District. Karen Welander-Spicer, Michael Bundy- New London, Don Dufner, Watkins, Hal Meyer-Marshall, Carol Jackson- Spicer, John Christenson- Willmar, Chip Madson- Spicer,
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 funds. 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 Minnesota Dept\State contest will be held Saturday February 22nd. 2025- 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 2025 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 Alyson Johnson —District #7 wishes the best for Alyson as she competes at the State\Department Contest to represent the 7th District.
*--Link Download -2025 Pamphlet Details------*
*---Link Download Application Student & Post Form here
Sunday February 2, 2025 ---1:00PM-Willmar Am. Legion Post Scholarships Prizes 1st $ 800. 2nd-$400. 3rd $200.00
------D#7----Champion----Alyson Johnson----To compete Feb 22nd State De
2025-Department \ State Contest
- February 22, 2025At Anoka & Osseo Am. Legion's
2025- Department Scholarshp Awards
1st $1500. 2nd 1000. 3rd 700. 4th 500.
Champion only advances to NATIONAL Contest-Below
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Contact your local D#7 Am. Legion Post# x?x, Mn to start your journey -
or contact D#7 Chairman address above---
District #7 Chairman Rueben Nathe-426 Brown Avenue, Litchfield, Mn 55355-Ph: 320-593-8654- E:Mail Ruebenn@hutchtel.net
-2024
----District 7 Champion-
****4th Place State\Dept. Contest
2024-D#7 & Department Results
District #7 Contest= 1st Place Madison Price $800.00 Scholarship
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-----Dpt of Mn Contest--
Be sure to Congratulate Madison & thank her for competing.
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. ,
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American Legion District #7-- 2024 NEWS RELEASE
National High School Oratorical Contest 2024 News Release-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 2024 1ST Place Champion & Award winner is Madison Price High School 12th Grader
of Eden Valley-Watkins school District. Madison received a $800.00 scholarship and the opportunity to advance to represent the Seventh District in the State/Department contest.
2nd Place 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 2024 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 Contest ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
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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.
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2021 Hazel Chvatal HS Sr of Litchfield was District #7-- 21-2021
& 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.
APPLICATION FORM==open & Click on Post Contestant Application Form /files/D70APP~2.XLSApplication.xlsx
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.
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List of Former National Champions & Runner up's
Previous Yr Contestants--------------PrevChamps
--District #7 Listing of Previous ---CHAMPIONS & Runner-ups
2025 1st Alyson Johnson- Willmar 2nd William Pennertz-Litchfield 3rd Alison Sarsland-Belgrade/New London
2024 Madison Price- $800.--- Eden Valley 2nd Alison Sarsland- $400.00 New London-**Department 5th $500.
2023 Megan Blonigen- - Eden Valley + Dept. \State-Champion 2nd ==- Trevor Crusoe- Litchfield
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
Mn District 7 Post Oratorical Contest - 501-info
Registering your student contestant for D#7 annual Contest
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. Contact you local schools Counselsors or principles who may be able to help you recruit. The scholarship Oratorical Contest prizes are great offered by the American Legion. See below.
Local Posts who have available funds might also offer award scholarships for holding a local contest. However, it is not required by D#7 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 or working with teachers or supporters.. The extemporaneous feature or assigned topics is not required for the local contest.
Home schooled students are also eligible to enter the American Legion contests they only need to be sposored by a D#7 Post.
Get them the information. Links for Contestant information from previous contestant videos can be found below.
Open & Click PDF-on Pamphlet ====/
open Click Ms Word on Pamphlet****
APPLICATION FORM==open = /files/D70APP~2.XLSApplication.xlsx
Contact your local D#7 Am. Legion Post# ----, Mn to start your journey -
or contact D#7 Chairman address above---
2024-D#7 & Department Results
District #7 Contest= 1st Place Madison Price $800.00 Scholarship
Link to === - Rules Form- MS Word format
Oratorical Contest | The American Legion -Continued
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NOTES: DISTRICT #7 (D#7) Oratorical CONTEST-
1. All MN Post adjutants should have received the Dept/State flyer in October or November.
2. Each D#7 Post can register one contestant or local Champion for D#7 Oratorical Contest
3. Posts must reserve and register a spot for Contest ASAP or two weeks prior to D#7 Contest.
4. Contact D#7 Oratorial Contest Chairman if your Post needs of additional information.
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.
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You-Tube .jpg)
----- Video's of Past National Contests
References of Actual Video Presentations from Past National Contests Champions
VIDEO's for future Contestant Reference & review
National Contest Past Champions -Presentations ---Click on below--
-------2022--EMMA NOBLE-------- ------- #102-22 -National Contest-2022 CHAMPION & Finalist
#102-19 NATIONAL CONTEST- 2019 FINALIST #102----FEMALE
Click on below for Video of Champion's presentation.== information-
#103-2019 NATIONAL CONTEST- 2019 FINALIST #101 -19 ----**------MALE You-tube Click on-TUBE VIDEO- -- Male
Click on to see more ---National Link for video's from previous NATIONAL CHAMPIONS by year.
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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. |