Public and private local area high school students in the Windham-Raymond area are invited by the American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 in Windham to compete in the 76th annual American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program.

The Oratorical contest sponsored by the American Legion since 1938 is designed to instill greater interest by students in the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, the program develops leadership skills and fosters in the students an ability to think and speak clearly on their feet.

To date, more than $3 million have been awarded in scholarships under this program at the local, state and national level to contestant winners. The top three national winners receive $18,000, $16,000 and $14,000 scholarships respectively. There are also scholarships awarded at the state ($1,000), district and local level ($200).

The competition is held at each level in two phases. Each contestant will be required to give an oral presentation on some aspect of the Constitution that last 8-10 minutes. The second phase is designed to test the student’s understanding of the Constitution by responding in 3-5 minutes to a question randomly selected by the student on the day of the competition.

For further information, students can go to www.mainelegion.org and click on programs and then “Oratorical.” Additionally, students may contact the local Post Americanism Officer, Dennis Marshall, at [email protected].

The High School Oratorical Program at the state level will be held on Feb. 15, 2014, at Thomas College, Waterville. Local and 2nd District competitions will be held at an as-yet-undetermined time.