Fred Brock American Legion Post 828 names Winners of Oratorical Contest
(Post Commander Burrell Parmer) — Two local high school students participated in an oratorical contest hosted by Fred Brock American Legion Post No. 828, located on the city’s East Side.
Joshua Philip, a junior attending Health Careers High School, was awarded first place in the contest held at the post’s event center. Sarah Frost, a junior at Advanced Learning Academy High School, placed second.
Both students will now compete at the district level in January against winners of contests within the 20th District.
Each contestant delivered a prepared oration as well as an oration on a randomly assigned constitutional topic.
The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students.
“It was important for Post 828 to host the contest because our American Legion is interested in improving the lives of youth and young adults across the country,” said Past Department Vice Commander Billy Hill, who serves as the chairman of the Post Oratorical Contest Committee. “Regardless of their career fields, their ability to deliver a clear and concise speech on the Constitution will last a lifetime.”
Since 1938, The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program has encouraged the nation’s high school students to study the U.S. Constitution and to hone their public speaking skills.
The knowledge gained by participating in an oratorical contest at their age builds character, self-esteem, and motivation, said Hill, a Navy Veteran. I like to see students overcome challenges, and public speaking can be difficult if you don’t practice, challenge yourself, and overcome your fears.
Post 828 thanks Past Department Historian Garnel Alford and Legionnaires Patricia Wimberly, Vonzetta Hickman, and Karl Lanier for serving as judges of the contest. Additional thanks to Legionnaire Marcellus Hutchinson who served as the contest’s timekeeper.
