The purpose of the American Legion High School Oratorical Program - "A Constitutional Speech Contest" is to develop knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of High School students. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, the rights and privileges of American citizenship. The American Legion Department of New York offers contestants competing in the Department Finals scholarships only, in the following amounts: 1st place-$6000, 2nd-$4000, 3rd-$2500, 4th-$2000, and 5th-$2000. Contestants must give both their prepared oration and assigned topic discourse in order to receive scholarship moneys they are entitled to. Elimination contest rules and its specifics can be accessed at the scholarship site. Uniforms of any kind are not permitted. Appropriate business attire is required of all contestants. Contestants are not permitted to wear awards and medals from previous competition. Time allotted for each contestant to deliver their prepared oration shall not be less then eight (8) or more than ten (10) minutes and for the assigned topic oration, not less than three (3) or more than five (5) minutes. Further instructions on the prepared oration and the assigned topics can be seen on the scholarship site. Application forms can be downloaded at the site. Fill this in and then send it to your local American Legion County Organization. If you don't know what County you need to apply to, look at the list with the corresponding zone and district Chairperson at the scholarship site.