Mt. Paran Student to Compete in Oratorical Contest

senior Preston Moore will represent the state of Georgia this Saturday during the National High School Oratorical Scholarship Contest.

Moore's winning speech at the American Legion Department of Georgia contest on March 10 earned him $1300 and the chance to represent North Cobb Post 304, District Five, and the Department of Georgia at the national level.

This weekend, 52 high school students from across the country will convene in Indianapolis at the University Place Conference Center and Hotel to compete in The American Legion’s 75th annual event, A Constitutional Speech Contest.

The contest will commence Saturday with quarterfinals at 9:45 a.m., followed by the semifinals at 2:45 p.m. During both sessions, the participants will present a rehearsed eight- to 10-minute oration on an aspect of the U.S. Constitution, as well as a three- to five-minute speech on an assigned topic discourse. The top three semifinalists will advance to the championship finals on April 15 at 10 a.m.

You can tune in to www.legion.org to watch the live streaming as the top three contestants vie for first place by repeating their rehearsed oration and speaking on a new assigned topic discourse.

First, second and third place winners will receive scholarship awards of $18,000, $16,000 and $14,000.

The purpose of The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students. Other objectives 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. It has been sponsored by The American Legion since 1938.