NEW GLARUS - Three Green County high school students competed in the American Legion's Constitutional Speech contest, Sunday, Jan. 9, at the New Glarus High/Middle School.
Contestants were required to give an 8- to 10-minute prepared oration on a topic of their choice related to the United States Constitution. They were also assigned a topic on which they then gave a 3- to 5-minute oration. The assigned topic was one of four topics that related to specific articles of the Constitution.
Zachary R. Clark, a junior at New Glarus High School, was this year's winner. His winning oration was titled "Understanding the Constitution." Clark received a $50 scholarship award from New Glarus Stuessy-Kuenzi Post 141 of the American Legion and will go on to compete at the Third District Oratorical Contest Jan. 30 in Darlington. The Third District winner will compete in the regional/state competition at Ripon College on Feb. 19.
Hillary Best, a senior at Albany High School, was the runner-up. Her prepared oration was titled "The Document Leading into the Future." Albany McDermott-Steindorf Post 144 will provide Hillary a stipend for her runner-up finish. If Clark is unable to compete in the district contest, Best will represent Green County.
Dallas Andersen, a sophomore at New Glarus High School, was the other contestant.
"I want to congratulate all of the participants of the oratorical contest. These students are the future of our state and nation. Their keen understanding of the rights and responsibilities held forth in our Constitution make me optimistic about the future of our great nation," said Post 141 Oratorical Chairperson David R. Henning.
The American Legion Oratorical Contest is in its 73nd year of instilling a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the United States Constitution in students.
The Wisconsin American Legion has been serving troops, veterans, and youth since 1920 and is the state's largest veterans' service organization with more than 70,000 members and 523 posts. For more information on the Legion's programs, visit www.wilegion.org.
Contestants were required to give an 8- to 10-minute prepared oration on a topic of their choice related to the United States Constitution. They were also assigned a topic on which they then gave a 3- to 5-minute oration. The assigned topic was one of four topics that related to specific articles of the Constitution.
Zachary R. Clark, a junior at New Glarus High School, was this year's winner. His winning oration was titled "Understanding the Constitution." Clark received a $50 scholarship award from New Glarus Stuessy-Kuenzi Post 141 of the American Legion and will go on to compete at the Third District Oratorical Contest Jan. 30 in Darlington. The Third District winner will compete in the regional/state competition at Ripon College on Feb. 19.
Hillary Best, a senior at Albany High School, was the runner-up. Her prepared oration was titled "The Document Leading into the Future." Albany McDermott-Steindorf Post 144 will provide Hillary a stipend for her runner-up finish. If Clark is unable to compete in the district contest, Best will represent Green County.
Dallas Andersen, a sophomore at New Glarus High School, was the other contestant.
"I want to congratulate all of the participants of the oratorical contest. These students are the future of our state and nation. Their keen understanding of the rights and responsibilities held forth in our Constitution make me optimistic about the future of our great nation," said Post 141 Oratorical Chairperson David R. Henning.
The American Legion Oratorical Contest is in its 73nd year of instilling a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the United States Constitution in students.
The Wisconsin American Legion has been serving troops, veterans, and youth since 1920 and is the state's largest veterans' service organization with more than 70,000 members and 523 posts. For more information on the Legion's programs, visit www.wilegion.org.
