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.  
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​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 2019
Contestants in the National Finals receive scholarships of

• 1st place $18,000
• 2nd place $16,000
• 3rd place $14,000
• All state winners who participate in first-round National contests receive $1,500 scholarships.
• All second-round contestants receive an additional $1,500 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, County, and Post scholarship or cash awards vary.

Assigned Topics for 2019
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 4
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 13 
1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment 21
1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.