# American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest

The American Legion's Oratorical Contest challenges high school students to deliver speeches on the U.S. Constitution, awarding scholarships of $18,000–$25,000 at the national level. One of the oldest and most respected speech competitions for students.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | The American Legion |
| Category | other |
| Cost | Free |
| Deadline | 2026-12-07 |
| Eligibility | Grades 9–12 |
| Format | In person |
| Location | National |
| Apply | https://www.legion.org/get-involved/youth-programs/oratorical-contest |

## About this program

## About the American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest

The American Legion's National High School Oratorical Contest has been helping students develop leadership skills through public speaking since 1938. The contest requires participants to prepare and deliver speeches about the U.S. Constitution, earning scholarships at local, state, and national levels.

### Scholarship Awards

- **1st Place National**: $25,000 scholarship
- **2nd Place National**: $22,500 scholarship  
- **3rd Place National**: $20,000 scholarship
- **State competition contestants**: $18,000–$19,000 scholarships
- **Additional scholarships** at local and district levels

### How the Contest Works

The contest proceeds through multiple rounds:
1. **Post (local)** competition — Sponsored by local American Legion posts
2. **District** competition
3. **Department (state)** competition
4. **National** competition — Held in Indianapolis, Indiana

### Eligibility Requirements

- U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien
- Currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. high school
- Under 20 years of age on the date of the national contest
- No previous participation in the national contest as a contestant

### Speech Requirements

- **Prepared Oration**: 8–10 minute speech on the U.S. Constitution
- **Assigned Topic Discourse**: 3–5 minute speech on a constitutional topic assigned at contest time

### How to Enter

There is no national online application. Students contact their local American Legion post to find out about local competitions. Visit legion.org/get-involved/youth-programs/oratorical-contest to find your nearest post.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest cost?

American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest is completely free — there is no participation fee. Costs like travel or optional materials may still apply; check the official site for details.

### What is the application deadline for American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest?

The application deadline is December 7, 2026. Always confirm on the program's official site, as dates can shift between cycles.

### Who is eligible for American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest?

American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest is open to high school students in grades 9–12. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest online or in person?

American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest is an in-person program based in National.

### How do I apply to American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest?

Apply directly through The American Legion's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-05.
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