Oratorical Contest
“A constitutional speech contest”
The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge, appreciation, and understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship and the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, and the ability to think and speak publicly.
This contest is for students of the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Private School and Home Schoolers/Independent Study who live in San Ramon Valley (Danville, Alamo, San Ramon, Diablo, Blackhawk). Notify American Legion Post 246 that you will be participating by E-mail to commanderpost246@gmail.com, or Postal mail to PO Box 133, Danville, CA 94526 not later than December 31, 2024.
We will notify participants in early January about logistical details with expectation that participants will perform their prepared oration and extemporaneous responses not later than January 25, 2025. If you are not in the area served by our local American Legion Post 246, you may find a local post serving your area and enter to compete by checking The American Legion website using the link https://www.legion.org/oratorical.
Assigned Topics for the 2025 Oratorical Contest
Amendment 1
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment VII
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment XVIII
Section 1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
Section 2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.
Amendment XXVI
Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.
Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.