American Legion Post 49 recently announced the 2019 American Legion Oratorical Contest for local High School students interested in this opportunity.

Winners at local, district and state level winners are awarded scholarships and can progress to national competition with a top prize of an $18,000 college scholarship. More than $138,000 in scholarships will be awarded.

Contestants need to prepare for two orations, one of 8-10 minutes on some aspect of the U.S. Constitution with an emphasis on the duties and obligations of citizens, and another 3-5 minutes on an assigned topic. Details can be found at www.legion.org/oratorical/about. Interested students should contact Greg Mueller at vaoratorical@yahoo.com or 477-7904. Local high school guidance counselors should also be able to provide information. The local competition will be conducted in early January 2019. Interested students should submit their entry and begin preparation as soon as possible.