HIGH SCHOOL NATIONAL ORATORICAL CONTEST
A Constitutional Speech Contest
2013 Oratorical Contest at Naperville Level A Constitutional Speech Contest
Dear Students, Parents and School Contacts:
Application forms for the 2013 Contest may be obtained from me. Please contact me now if you are interested. Our local Naperville Post will pay $125 application fee. The State winner will represent Illinois in the National Contest.Now is the time to prepare for a fine educational experience. The earlier you research and draft your speech, the more time you will have to polish and practice it. Also, your effort could be very rewarding. Illinois gives college awards of about $13,000. National gives college awards of about $128,000. There are other prizes at lower contest levels.
A summary of the "Essentials" is at the end of this message. For more State information see www.illegion.org and Scholarship tab. For National information see www.legion.org and links for Programs and Oratorical. Dates for intermediate contest levels are usually Saturdays or Sundays in January. Dates of the State Contest are March 1 & 2, 2013. Dates of the National Contest are April 19, 20 & 21, 2013.Please contact me directly to answer any questions you may have.
Don Hennessy, Contest Chairman, Naperville Post 43 of American Legion
630-355-4679 gddh55@sbcglobal.net
"Essentials" At Naperville Contest Level
1. Draft in writing a "Prepared Oration" on some aspect of the Constitution, with emphasis on a citizen’s duties and obligations to our government. It must have a title. Quotations must always be indicated as such. The author’s name must be given in the manuscript and cited orally. The speech must be given in no less than 8 minutes, and no more than 10 minutes. It does not have to be recited verbatim, but contestants must adhere to the ideas in their manuscript. It is suggested that contestants memorize the beginning and the ending, plus an outline. Practice with a teacher or parent who will check timing and give constructive comments - like speaking slower and giving good word separation for names, titles and words the judges may not easily recognize. Because of the time requirements, and because one may speak at a different rate in different locations, it is good to have items that can be added, or left out, just before starting the final ending, depending on time warning signs which will appear at the 8, 9 and 10 minute marks. Use a timer when practicing. Have a pleasant facial expression. Do not be a statue. Be your natural self, but use expression and emphasis like good speakers do. Attach a bibliography sheet at the end to show where your speech information was obtained. You must bring a copy of your speech manuscript to each contest.2. The “Assigned Topic” will be chosen at contest time from one of the four listed below. You must speak no less than 3 minutes, and no more than 5 minutes, on the chosen topic. Time warning signs will appear at the 3, 4, and 5 minute marks. The four topics, from which one will be chosen at contest time, are:
(1) Article II, section 1, paragraph 5: No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.
(2) Amendment 22, first sentence: No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.
(3) Amendment 2: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
(4) Amendment 24: The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay poll tax or other tax.
4. Appear in business attire with a parent or teacher. Bring a written copy of your "Prepared Oration" manuscript which must have a title. "Sign In" at the American Legion Hall, 10 W. Chicago Ave., 2nd Floor, Naperville, on Saturday, January 5, 2013, at 1:30 PM.5. The order of speaking will be determined by lot at contest time. Contestants will not hear speeches of other contestants, but parents, teachers and guests may attend and hear the speeches of all contestants. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Winners will be announced the same afternoon after all contestants have been heard. Prizes will be awarded. The 1st Place Winner earns the right to compete at the next contest level.
6. When facts or figures are used, have good back-up sources and references for same in your bibliography. It would be embarrassing to later learn a speech contained erroneous facts or figures.
7. Four weeks or more before contest date of January 5, 2013, a Parent or School Representative must confirm to Contest Chairman Don Hennessy (1) the name, (2) phone number and (3) High School of the contestant that will appear and compete at the contest. Earlier confirmations are appreciated. This information is needed for determining contest staff and set-ups.
8. The purpose of this contest is to instill a better knowledge and appreciation of the U.S. Constitution in high school students. Other objectives include the development of leadership and speaking qualities. The State Champion will compete against the other 49 States in the National Contest which has 3 contest levels. State college awards of about $13,000 are spread among State contestants. National college awards of about $128,000 are spread among National contestants with $18,000, $16,000 and $14,000 going to the three finalists.
9. To be eligibile, an applicant must be a bona fide high school student (grades 9 thru 12), a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident, and under the age of 20 years at the time of the National contest.For more information and answers to questions, please contact:
Don Hennessy, Contest Chairman for Naperville Post 43,
630-355-4679 gddh55@sbcglobal.net
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1999-2000 - 63rd Annual
1st Place Andrew Mondi, Naperville North HS, Senior
Also won County, District, Division, 4th in State
2000-2001 - 64th Annual
1st Place Ian Holzhauer, Naperville North HS, Senior
2001-2002 - 65th Annual
1st Place Jennifer L. Dierdorff, Naperville Central HS, Senior
2002-2003 - 66th Annual
1st Place Scott Musial, Benet Academy, Senior
Also won Du Page County
2nd Place Alexis Maxwell, Naperville North, Senior
3rd Place Jessica Garvert, Benet Academy, Sophomore
2003-2004 - 67th Annual
1st Place Serena Raheja, Naperville North HS, Senior
Also won County
2nd Place Melissa Entzminger, Home School, Junior
3rd Place Michael S. Leen, Benet Academy, Senior
2004-2005 - 68th Annual
1st Place Melissa Entzminger, Home School, Senior
Also won Du Page County
2nd Place Casey Verkamp, Naperville North HS, Junior
3rd Place Jennifer Cota, Naperville Central HS, Senior
2005-2006 - 69th Annual
1st Place Casey Verkamp, Naperville North HS, Senior
Also won State, and competed in Nationals
2nd Place Danielle Gewurz, Nequa Valley HS, Senior
2006-2007 - 70th Annual
1st Place Jared Canfield, Home School, Junior
Also won State, and won 3rd Place at Nationals
2008 - 71st Annual
1st Place Matthew Schuhriemen, a Home School Sophomore 2nd Place Kristin Hwu, a Naperville North HS Senior 3rd Place Sunameeka Panigrahy, a Naperville Central HS Junior 2009 - 72nd Annual 1st Place Miriam Canfield, a Home School Junior 2nd Place Matthew Schuhriemen, a Home School Junior 3rd Place Thomas Schuhriemen, a Home School Senior 2010 – 73rd Annual 1st Place Matthew Schuhriemen, a Home School Senior
Also won State and competed in Nationals 2nd Place Katherine Rudolph, a Naperville Central HS Senior 3rd Place Micah Colbert, a Home School Senior 4th Place Ryan Macwan, a Home School Sophomore 5th Place Alyssa J. Peterson, a Benet Academy Senior 2011 – 74th Annual 1st Place Anagha Sundararajan, a Waubonsee Valley HS Senior
Also competed in State Level 2nd Place Ryan Macwan, a Home School Junior 3rd Place Rianka Macwan, a Home School Sophomore4th Place Jonathan Hogue, a Metea Valley Junior 2012 – 75th Annual 1st Place Rianka Macwan, a Home School Junior Also competed at State Level 2nd Place Kirthi Bellamkonda, a Naperville Central HS Junior 3rd Place Ryan Macwan, a Home School Senior Jared Canfield – won 3rd Place at National as 2007 Illinois State Champion
