The AMERICAN LEGION, Department of Maryland, during this school year, again sponsors an Oratorical Contest for high school students in Maryland. The purpose of the contest is to develop knowledge and appreciation of the United States Constitution, the ability to think and speak clearly and critically, and the acceptance of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship.  In recent years, the American Legion has partnered with the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association and the National Speech and Debate Association to offer programs to young people interested in this sort of activity.  They are awarded points for participation in the Legion contests.  
​
​Prepared Oration
Each contestant shall deliver a prepared oration, which must be an original effort. The oration must address some aspect of the Constitution of the United States, which emphasizes the attendant duties and obligations of a citizen to our government. Possible subjects include:

• An American Citizens Rights and Responsibilities Under The Constitution
• Our Constitution - Worth Having, Worth Defending
• The Constitution in a Changing World
• The Constitution in Our Everyday Life 
• The Bill of Rights - Reciprocal Rights and Duties
• The Constitution - Guardian of the People’s Rights

Assigned Topic Discourse
In addition to a Prepared Oration, contestants must be prepared to speak on a specific article or amendment to the Constitution. The National office chooses four each year and contestants will prepare a speech for all four. However, only one is chosen, at random, during a contest and all contestants will speak on the same article or amendment. Contestants are sequestered during the contest so they do know know which choice was drawn until it it their turn to speak.  See below for the list of selected assigned topics for the year. 

Awards for 2025
Contestants in the National Finals receive scholarships of

• 1st place $25,000
• 2nd place $22,500
• 3rd place $20,000
• All state winners who participate in first-round National contests receive $2,000 scholarships.
• All second-round contestants receive an additional $2,000 scholarship. ​

The Department of Maryland awards the following medals and scholarships at State Finals:

• 1st Place Gold Medal and $3,000
• 2nd Place Silver Medal and $2,000
• Others (3rd +) Bronze Medal and $750

Maryland District and Post scholarship or cash awards vary.

Assigned Topics for 2025

Amendment 1
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment VII
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment XVIII
Section 1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
Section 2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.
Amendment XXVI
Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.
Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.