mdr174Fre
Department of Tennessee
"CONSTITUTIONAL SPEECH" HIGH SCHOOL ORATORICAL CONTEST
click here to apply for the Compulsory Volunteer Background Checks
The American Legion's National High School Oratorical Scholarship Program - "A Constitutional Speech Contest" aims to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students.
Scholarships totaling $6,000 will be awarded to students taking part in the state contest. The state winner will receive a $3,000 scholarship, plus an all-expenses paid trip to Hillsdale College, Hillsdale MI to compete in the national contest, May 15-17, 2026 and a part of the $167,500 national scholarship pool.
Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, the rights, and privileges of American citizenship.
If you are a high school student who would like to participate, or a teacher or parent of a student who would like to participate, please use this website to gain a better understanding of the contest.
To apply for the contest, complete the application form below by clicking on the blue "ORATORICAL APPLICATION/CERTIFICATION FORM" and return it to your local contest Post or District Chairman as instructed. Remember Application/School Certification of their contest representatives must arrive at The American Legion Department of Tennessee, 318 Donelson Pike, Nashville TN 37214 not later than FEBRUARY 9, 2026. For more information click on the following link: Department Oratorical Information Package mailed to Schools.
Scholarships totaling $6,000 will be awarded to students taking part in the state contest. The state winner will receive a $3,000 scholarship, plus an all-expenses paid trip to Hillsdale College, Hillsdale MI to compete in the national contest, May 15-17, 2026 and a part of the $167,500 national scholarship pool.
Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, the rights, and privileges of American citizenship.
If you are a high school student who would like to participate, or a teacher or parent of a student who would like to participate, please use this website to gain a better understanding of the contest.
To apply for the contest, complete the application form below by clicking on the blue "ORATORICAL APPLICATION/CERTIFICATION FORM" and return it to your local contest Post or District Chairman as instructed. Remember Application/School Certification of their contest representatives must arrive at The American Legion Department of Tennessee, 318 Donelson Pike, Nashville TN 37214 not later than FEBRUARY 9, 2026. For more information click on the following link: Department Oratorical Information Package mailed to Schools.
Please contact Chairman Terry Ward, 615-519-6523 or email tswardpost281am@gmail.com with any questions.
2026 ORATORICAL APPLICATION/CERTIFICATION FORM
District Contests between February 21 to March 21, 2026
| DISTRICT | DATE TIME & LOCATION | POINT OF CONTACT |
| 1 |
March 21, 2026
Post 24, 409 E. Market St.
Johnson City, TN
|
Steven Pecinovsky
352-942-9561
stevenpecinosky@gmail.com
|
| 2 |
February 28, 2026 - 10 a.m.
Post 13, 224 Water Rd
Maryville, TN
|
William Roop
865-898-9156
billsherry.roop@gmail.com
|
|
3
|
February 21, 2026 - 9 a.m.
East Ridge City Hall
1517 Tombras Dr. East Ridge, TN
|
Bill Norton
423-593-6281
Bill@metroservicesinc.com
|
|
4
|
March 7, 2026 - 9 a.m.
Alternate Date March 14, 2026 - 9 a.m.
The Old Putnam County Court House
in the Cookeville Square
300 East Spring St, Cookeville
|
Colleen Sandell
(931) 808-7210
cmsandell@benlomand.net
|
|
5
|
March 14, 2026, 900 a.m.
St. Stephens Catholic Community Church
14544 Lebanon Rd. Old Hickory, TN
|
Bruno Padovani
615-881-7610
bspadovanipost281mj@gmail.com
|
| 6 |
February 28, 2026 11:00 AM
First Christian Church
235 Church St. Dover, TN 37058
|
Billie Zeveney
931-338-7620
6thdistricttn@gmail.com
|
| 7 |
Vince Cuevas
931-212-0257
vcuevas.alpost39@gmail.com
|
|
| 8 |
March 14, 2026, 12:00 p.m.
American Legion Post 12
165 Perry Switch Rd, Jackson
|
David Lange
702-525-3525
|
|
9
|
Doug Marshall
937-459-0301
dougmarshallpost0047@gmail.com
|
|
| 10 |
Jeff Jungkans
901-212-3447
junker1965@hotmail.com
|
Division Contests between March 28 to April 4, 2026
| DIVISION | DATE, TIME & LOCATION | POINT OF CONTACT |
| East |
March 28, 2026, 1:00 PM
Lakeway Christian Academy
3720 Roy J Messer Highway, Whie Pine, TN
|
|
|
Middle
|
March 28, 2026, 10:00 AM
American Legion Post 82, Inglewood, Inc.
3204 1/2 Gallatin Rd Nashville TN 37216 |
Chris Lewis
262-343-2009
clewis1345@gmail.com
|
| West |
March 28, 2026, 10:00 AM
Humboldt Medical Center
3525 Chere Carol Rd
Humboldt TN |
Thomas Raines
731-222-0058
tfraines@aol.com
|
(Instructional Videos, Public Service Announcements, Past Presentations, and Brochures)
PREPARED ORATION:
The oration must be on some aspect of the Constitution, with emphasis on a citizen’s duties and obligations to our government. The same subject and oration used in the department contest must be used in the national contest.
Contestants may have a copy of their prepared oration while waiting in the first holding room. They may consult the copy until they exit to begin the contest. The copy will then be surrendered to the contest official monitoring the first holding room.
Quotations must always be indicated as such. Where quotations are more than 10 words in length, the author’s name must be given in the manuscript and cited orally.
It is acceptable to utilize or incorporate short phrases in a foreign language to develop the argument, establish a point, etc. It should be understood that the vast majority of the prepared oration and/or assigned topic must still be delivered in English. Singing is not permitted and will result in immediate disqualification. The contestant may, however, quote a verse(s) of a song(s) provided proper attribution is made.
Assigned Topics for 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.
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.