CORVALLIS HIGH SCHOOL SOPHMORE WINS THE MONTANA
AMERICAN LEGION ORATORICAL CONTEST
Helena, MT – March 11, 2017
The Montana American Legion High School Oratorical
Competition sponsored by the American Legion of Montana and its 129 Posts located
throughout Montana concluded In Helena on Saturday March 11. Michael McKay of Corvallis who attends Corvallis
High School prevailed over four other contestants for the right to represent
Montana at the American Legion National Finals. The National competition will
take place April 22-23, 2017 in Indianapolis, IN.
McKay won the local competition sponsored by Corvallis Post
#91 and then went on to take the District contest in Florence a week later for
the chance to compete in the state finals.
Eric Reed of Harlowton took second place followed by Carter Johnson of
Big Sky for third followed by Isaiah Hesford of Boulder in fourth.
The American Legion established the annual oratorical
contest in 1939 as part of its multi-faceted Americanism Program. The focus of
the competition has always been the United States Constitution.
The subject of the prepared oration portion of the contest
must be about some phase of the constitution of the United States, emphasizing
the duties and obligations of a citizen to the United States government. The
prepared oration must be an original effort of each contestant and should be 8
– 10 minutes in length.
The Montana state winners 1st through 4th places
are eligible for monetary scholarships from the American Legion of Montana.
Also as part of the American Legion program fee waiver scholarships are
available from the various units of the Montana University system as well as
Carroll College. Information on these scholarships is available from high
school guidance counselors or the American Legion.
In addition to the awards by winners of the various
elimination rounds of the National Competition, university scholarships of
$18,000, 16,000 and $14,000 will be awarded to the 1st through 3rd
place winners in the National Finals.
Each state winner who competes in the first round of the
National Contest will receive a $1500 scholarship.
Participants in the second round who do not advance to the
national Final round will receive and additional $1500 scholarship. The top
three youth orators who have won all previous rounds will vie for the top
honors in the National contest.
The American Legion will pay the expenses of the state
winners.
The American Legion State Oratorical Chairman is Jeff Holmes,
Harlowton, Montana
