Post Oratorical Contest
Contestants must be students in a high school (9-12) program and be less than 20 years old to compete.
The 8-10 minute Prepared Topics are selected by the Orator from any of the U.S. Constitution articles or amendments they choose to speak on and prepared beforehand.
The 3-5 minute assigned topic is drawn from a list of potential topics on the day of the contest and shared with the speaker 10 minutes prior to delivery. Both speeches are delivered without notes or speaking aids of any kind.
Assigned Topics for 2025/2026 Oratorical Contest
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Article III
Section 3. Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.
Article IV
Section 4. The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.
Article VI
Clause 3. The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
Contestants in the American Legion Oratorical Constitutional Speech contests are judged on their depth of knowledge of the U.S. Constitution , presentation skills, poise and presence.