The purpose of The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program 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. All contestants must be presently enrolled in high school or junior high school (public, military, private, or parochial, or who are homeschooled) in which the curriculum is of high school grade level commencing with grade 9 and terminating with grade twelve 12. High school students that graduate early during the school year are eligible to compete if they are not enrolled in a college, university, trade school or other institution of higher learning at the time of the Department finals contest. Contestants must either be legally domiciled within or attend an educational institution within the department (state) where they enter competition. The scholarships may be used to attend any high school, college, or university. Scholarships are good for seven years starting from the first payment requested and will be paid directly to the recipient's high school, college, or university. The contestants must prepare an oration. The topic for the 2025 contest is based on the Amendment I; Amendment VII; Amendment XVIII Sections 1, 2, and 3; Amendment XXVI Sections 1 and 2 of the U.S. Constitution. The Contestant Application must be filled out and signed by the contestant, the principal of the high school, and parent or guardian. Both the Prepared Oration and Contestant Application must be submitted to the County Chairman no later than November 23, 2024. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the American Legion Department of New York for more information.