H.W. Dare Maness High School Oratorical Contest
All questions regarding the 2017/2018 contest should be directed to
Glenn Hero, Department Oratorical Contest Chairman
at 704-599-9107 or pahero@msn.com
2017/2018
The American Legion Department of South Carolina
H. W. Dare Maness
High School Oratorical Scholarship Program
"A Constitutional Speech Contest"
The purpose of The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program "A Constitutional Speech Contest" is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership skills, 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.
The winner at the department (state) level who is ceritified into and participates in the first round of the national contest will receive a $1,500 scholarship. Each first round winner who advances to and participates in the second round, but does not advance to the final round, will receive an additional $1,500 scholarship to pursue education ay any college or university in the United States.
National scholarship awards are presented to the three finalists in the final round of the national contest as follows: 1st place - $18,000; 2nd place - $16,000; 3rd place - $14,000.
A contestant must give both their prepared oration and the assigned topic discourse in order to receive the scholarship.
More details are available in the links below:
2018 Oratorical Contest Rules Contest Worker Instructions:
Memo to all Post Commanders, Adjutant's and Post Oratorical Chairmen Tabulator Instructions
Memo to High School Principals and School Guidance Offices Timekeepers Instructions
2018 Certification Form Escort Instructions
Chairman's Guide Ushers Instructions
Judges Prepared Oration scratch tallysheet Judges Instructions
Judges assigned topic scratch tallysheet
All post contests must be completed by TBA 2019
All Quadrant Contests will be held on Saturday TBA 2019 locations listed below:
Quadrant One Location
Quadrant Two Location
Quadrant Three Location
Quadrant Four Location
The Department Contest will be held Saturday @ 10:00 am DATE TBA for 2019 at
The American Legion Department Headquarters
103 Legion Plaza Rd (mapquest address may still be 3512 Bush River Rd, Cola, 29210)
Columbia, SC 29210
803-612-1171