OXFORD – Both the local and county levels of the American Legion’s National High School Oratorical Scholarship Program, a “Constitutional Speech Contest,” were held on Sunday at the Oxford Academy High School auditorium. The event was co-chaired by Dale Dewey and Vic Harmon, both from the Oxford Fort Hill Post #376, and due to their promotion, it yielded a larger than usual turn-out of contestants. Talented speakers received scholarships, but only one Chenango County winner is headed for the Sixth District level.
On the local level of the academic speaking challenge, there were five contestants: Amanda Korb, a junior from Otselic Valley Central School; Darci Herrick, Sarah Renaud, Megan Golden, and Morgann Westcott, all seniors from Oxford Academy.
The prepared oration was required to be a memorized speech, 8 to 10 minutes in length, on some aspect of the Constitution of the United States, with emphasis on the duties and obligations of a citizen to our government. Appropriate business attire was also a requirement. Megan’s speech was about freedom of speech, Darci’s was about the right to vote, Sarah and Morgann spoke about gun control, and Amanda talked about each citizen’s responsibility to vote, get an education and to pay taxes.
The local level of judging determined that Megan Golden was in third place, winning $50; Sarah Renaud, in second place, won $75; and Darci Herrick, in first place, won $100, all from the Oxford American Legion, Fort Hill Post #376. Amanda Korb received $50 from her local South Otselic American Legion, Perry Cook Post #973.
The Chenango County American Legion level of the competition required the speakers to talk for 3-5 minutes on the 22nd amendment, regarding the limited terms of the U.S. Presidency. The judges determined that Amanda Korb was the first place winner of the National High School Oratorical Contest. Clearly comfortable with her public speaking, Amanda credited her O.V. school’s F.F.A. agricultural teacher, Betty Robinson, for giving her a strong foundation and confident ability with her speechcraft. Amanda received $250 from the County Legion, and she will be advancing to the Sixth District level on Jan. 12 at Homer High School at 11:30 a.m., where multiple counties will compete. The County Legion also awarded Sarah Renaud, in third place, $100 and Darci Herrick, in second place, $200. Darci is the alternate if, for any reason, Amanda is unable to continue to the next level of the competition.
