Vincent Trinh and Derby High School Principal Jennifer Olson. Trinh took home third place in Connecticut.
DERBY — The State of Connecticut Oratorical Contest was held Saturday March 1st at the Connecticut State Police Academy. Students from across the State of Connecticut took part in this competition.
The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students.
State Finalists and their American Legion escorts.
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. 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.
First place was awarded to Maggie Fleischer who is a senior at The Academy of Information, Technology and Engineering in Stamford. Second place was awarded to Cade Fravel who is a senior at Joel Barlow High School. The 3rd place finishers were David Chmura, a junior at Southington High School. Vincent Trinh, a senior at Derby High School, and Kiersten Kulman, a senior at Lyman Memorial High School.
Maggie Fleischer with American Legion Department Commander, John DeBisschop and Americanism Chairman Paul Niche.
Maggie Fleischer will go on to represent Connecticut at the National Contest in Hillsdale, Michigan, May 17 through 19.
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 $20,000. 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.
