Recently American Legion Post 25 and 135 sponsored the 86th Northern Arizona American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Speech Contest held at American Legion Post 25 and followed three weeks later at the Camp Verde Community Library.
The contest presented two Mingus HS orators, junior Mitchell Gordon, a Camp Verde resident, while his worthy challenger, Frank Van Devender is a Cottonwood resident. Both young people participated in 2024 American Legion District 8 Oratorical and Dept. of Arizona Area C Contest. As a reward and incentive to participate each speaker wins various monetary amounts which are intended to be used for their college education.
As a junior at Mingus HS, Gordon is eligible to participate in the contest again next year, and says, he’s “ready, willing and able”. The subject of his speech is “Can the 1st Amendment Save Freedom of Speech?” Van Devender is a senior. The title of his speech was “Significance of the US Constitution” but will not be able to take part since the contest is only open to 9-12 graders.
Each contest consisted of Gordon and Van Devender presenting his prepared original oration from 8-10 minutes. Then, each student spoke again for 3-5 minutes on one of four possible (previously known) topics. The topic selected was the US Constitution XXIII Amendment which granted citizens living in Washington D.C., the nation’s capital, the right to vote in presidential elections.
Since 1938, The American Legion Oratorical Contest has existed to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. The first and second place winners will participate in the state contest held April 13 at Benson HS, Arizona. The first and second winners from that state contest which traditionally is about six speakers, will advance to the National contest to be held May17-19 in Hillsdale, Mich., at Hillsdale College. The contest is held in every state and is an all-expense trip for the speaker and one escort.
For more information on the contest contact local program chairman, Jeri Strande at 928-649-3374 or go to: legion.org/oratorical.
Local Mingus HS Speech contest winners – Mitchell Gordon (l-r) pose with American Legion Vice Cmdr of Area C, Scott Miller and second place winner Frank Van Devender;
Each speaker has earned the right will go on to the state American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Speech Contest held April 13, at Benson HS in Benson, Arizona.
The first and second winners at the state contest which traditionally is about six speakers, will advance to the National contest to be held May17-19 in Hillsdale, Michigan, at Hillsdale College. The contest is held in every state and is an all-expense trip for the speaker and one escort. Photo by Jeri Strande.