American Legion Post 403
American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program
“A constitutional speech contest”
The following scholarships are available for Contest participants
(technically all participants are winners as students gain knowledge on Constitution and Post acquires youth learning history of United States)
First Place: $500 Scholarship plus additional $200 for County Contest participation and
$300 at District Contest participation
Second Place: $400
Third Place: $300
Fourth Place: $200
Fifth Place $100
Submission Deadline: November 18, 2024
Post Oratorical Date: November 23, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at Veterans Reception Center, 910 Main Street, Van Meter, IA
Application for 2024 Oratorical Contest
Flyer about the 2024 Oratorical Contest
American Legion Post #403 sponsors the local Post American Legion Oratorical Contest. Community high school age students, grades 9-12, are eligible to participate for Post, County, District, Area, Department(state), and National scholarship awards
The National High School Oratorical contest sponsored since 1938 by the American Legion is designed to instill a greater knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States in high school students. Other objectives include the development of leadership, the ability to think and speak clearly, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship. Another purpose of the program is to assist students in paying the high cost of college education.
The Post (community level) competition is the beginning step to the final culmination in the National competition. The student advances from the Post level, county level, district level (there are 9 Legion districts in the state of Iowa), area level (comprised of 3 district level winners), department level (State competition comprised of 3 area level winners), and finally the national level in which the student competes against winners from other states at Indiana University – Purdue University in Indianapolis, Indiana. For additional contest details, use this link.
VIDEOS FROM NATIONALS (click on to view YouTube)
1) Iowa Youth Wins Legion Oratorical Finals, $18,000 Scholarship
2) 2019 American Legion National Oratorical Contest -- Patrick Junker Prepared Oration
3) 2019 American Legion National Oratorical Contest -- Patrick Junker Assigned Topic
2023 Post 403 Oratorical Contest Winners
First Place Ava Haverstick $500 Scholarship (plus $200 County)
2022 Post 403 Oratorical Contest Winners
First Place Liam Newell $500 Scholarship (plus $200 County)
Second Place Claire Newell $400
Third Place Adam Glade $300
Fourth Place Keanon Mennon $200
Fifth Place Kylie Keller $100
2021 Post 403 Oratorical Contest Winners
First Place Joseph Junker $500 Scholarship (plus $200 County, $300 District)
Second Place Gus Rosener $400
Third Place Luke Champion $300
Fourth Place Claire Newell $200
Fifth Place Reed Chapman $100
2020 Post 403 Oratorical Contest Winners
First Place Joseph Junker $500 Scholarship (plus $200 County, $300 District)
Winner Department of Iowa $2000
Winner National American Legion 2021 Oratorical Contest, Indianapolis, IN $5000
(COVD-19 cancellation of National Contest -- all State winners awarded same amount)
Second Place Claire Newell $400
2019 Post 403 Oratorical Contest Scholarship Winners:
First Place Joseph Junker $500 Scholarship (plus $200 County $300 District)
Second Place Tyler Coffie $400 Scholarship
2018 Post 403 Oratorical Contest Scholarship Winners:
First Place Patrick Junker $500 Scholarship (plus $200 county, $300 district)
Winner Department of Iowa $2,000
Winner National American Legion 2019 Oratorical Contest Indianapolis, IN $18,000 Scholarship
Second Place Gretchen Banks $400
2017 Post 403 Oratorical Contest Scholarship Winners:
First Place Patrick Junker $500 Scholarship (plus $200 county, $300 district)
(winner Department of Iowa and participated in National American Legion Contest in Indianapolis $1,500)
Second Place Rebekah Walter $400
2016 Post 403 Oratorical Contest Scholarship Winners:
First Place Hayley Cozad $500 Scholarship (plus $200 county, $300 district)
Second Place Rebekah Walter $400
2015 Post 403 Oratorical Contest Scholarship Winners:
First Place Hayley Cozad $500 Scholarship ($200 county)
Second Place David Brangoccio $400
Third Place Nicole Moody $300
2014 Post 403 Oratorical Contest Scholarship Winners:
First Place Emma Skahill $500 Scholarship plus incentive to earn $200 and $300**
(Winner Department of Iowa $2,000
Winner - Third Place National American Legion 2014 Oratorical Contest, Indianapolis, IN $14,000 Scholarship)
Second Place Hayley Cozad $400
Third Place Steve Bouma $300
Fourth Place Colin Prouty $200
2013 Post 403 Oratorical Contest Scholarship Winners:
First Place Emma Skahill $500 Scholarship plus incentive to earn $200 and $300**
(winner Department of Iowa and participated in National American Legion Contest in Indianapolis)
Second Place Summer Sobotka $400
Third Place Hayley Cozad $300
Fourth Place Ryann Slycord $200
Fifth Place Carolyn Power $100
**Emma Skahill went on to compete at Dept of Iowa Oratorical and received additional scholarship of $2000 from the American Legion of Iowa and American Legion of Iowa Foundation in winning the state contest. Emma then went on to the National Oratorical contest held in Indianapolis, IN and received another $1500 in scholarship for her participation in the National Regional Contests.
2012 Post 403 Oratorical Contest Scholarship Winners:
First Place Nathan Walton $500 Scholarship plus incentive to to earn $200**
(winner Department of Iowa and participated in National American Legion Contest in Indianapolis)
Second Place Emma Skahill $400
Third Place Sarah Brangoccio $300
Fourth Place Molly Cornelison $200
**Nathan Walton went on to compete at Dept of Iowa Oratorical and received additional scholarship of $2000 from the American Legion of Iowa and American Legion of Iowa Foundation in winning the state contest. Nathan went on to the National Oratorical contest held in Indianapolis, IN and received another $1500 in scholarship for his participation in Regional Contests.
2011 Post 403 Oratorical Contest Scholarship Winners:
First Place: Claire Kinley $300 Scholarship plus incentive to earn $200 additional
Second Place: Zach Prouty $300
Third Place: Emma Skahill $200
Fourth Place: Nathan Walton $100
Fifth Place: Holly Baiotto $ 50
2010 Post 403 Oratorical Contest Scholarship Winners:
First Place: Holly Baiotto $300 Scholarship plus incentives to earn $200 additional
Second Place: Amelia Beal $300 Scholarship
Third Place: Megan Enos-Skogerson $200 Scholarship
Fourth Place: Not Awarded
2009 Post 403 Oratorical Contest Scholarship Winners:
First Place: Cydney Greer $300 Scholarship plus incentives to earn $200 additional
Second Place: Alexandra Darrah $300 Scholarship
Third Place: Meg Phillips $200 Scholarship
Fourth Place: Katie Brown $100 Scholarship
Fifth Place: Marcus Benton $50 Scholarship (contributor donated)
2008 Post 403 Oratorical Contest Scholarship Winners:
First Place: Eryn Schlote $500 Scholarship
Second Place: Not Awarded $300 Scholarship
Third Place: Not Awarded $200 Scholarship
Fourth Place: Not Awarded $100 Scholarship
2007 Post 403 Oratorical Contest Scholarship Winners:
First Place: Lindsay Bragg $500 Scholarship
Second Place: Amanda Huntrods $300 Scholarship
Third Place: Not Awarded $200 Scholarship
Fourth Place: Not Awarded $100 Scholarship2006 Post 403 Oratorical Contest Scholarship Winners:
First Place: Katie Davis $500 Scholarship
Second Place: Lindsay Bragg $300 Scholarship
Third Place: Rhonda Greenway $200 Scholarship
Fourth Place: Steve Briley $100 Scholarship
2005 Post 403 Oratorical Contest Scholarship Winners:
First Place: Kaitlyn Clark $500 Scholarship
Second Place: Rhonda Greenway $300 Scholarship
Third Place: Chrystal Belz $200 Scholarship
Fourth Place: Lindsay Bragg $100 Scholarship
2004 Post 403 Oratorical Contest Scholarship Winners:
First Place: Kaitlyn Clark $500 Scholarship
Second Place: Amanda Bauman $300 Scholarship
Third Place: Rhonda Greenway $200 Scholarship
Fourth Place: Max Dachenbach $100 Scholarship