POST FALLS, IDAHO – The American Legion recently kicked off its annual national oratorical contest, a program which began in 1938. According to its website, the contest is focused on developing a “knowledge and appreciation for the US Constitution among high school students.” Several well-known Americans have participated in the past, including former vice president Mike Pence, national television host Lou Dobbs, and former presidential hopeful Alan Keyes, who served in the Reagan administration.
The contest sets a high standard in oratory skill, requiring participants to complete two speeches with judges monitoring and evaluating all facets of the presentations. The first speech is an eight- to ten-minute oration on how the US Constitution protects, provides, and defends American citizens. The second is a three- to five-minute speech on one of four assigned topics, and the contestants do not know which of the four topics they will speak on until five minutes prior to the time of delivery. The contestants cannot use notes, amplification devices, or podiums. Instead, they must speak in a manner that projects their voice throughout the room while they move about.
On Saturday, January 13, 2024, the American Legion Steven H. Nipp Post 143 hosted two ambitious homeschooled high school students who took on the daunting challenge. Elijah Harrison (16) and Adison Harrison (18) impressed the audience with their command of American history, ability to think and speak clearly, and knowledge of the duties, responsibilities, and privileges of American citizenship.
Elijah’s first speech focused on the first, fourth, and sixth amendments, which he used to explain that the framers of the US Constitution had a vision that was centered on protection, justice, and freedom. He believes our modern culture has lost this vision.
Adison’s first speech focused on how presidents undermine the protection of the US Constitution when they use executive action to fulfill campaign promises and when they circumvent congress by sending troops into conflict. She believes presidents only have the duties and power to execute military strategy once congress has decided to utilize the military.
For their second speeches, both contestants were given five minutes to prepare to speak on Amendment XXV, Section 3, which reads, “Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.”
Adison drew a parallel between the president delegating authority to the vice president and parents delegating their authority to an older sibling tasked with caring for younger siblings in their absence. She pointed out the amendment was ratified in 1967 and has only been used three times. Elijah spoke about the amendment providing a mechanism to adapt to specific circumstances, noting that there was no way to spell out every possible scenario.
Four judges scored the contestants, who remained within the allotted time frame of both their presentations so managed to avoid penalties related to the length of their speeches.
Adison took top honors, which earned a $500 scholarship and advancement to the next round. Her younger brother Elijah was awarded a $250 scholarship.
Legionnaire Vic Parrish helped coordinate the district oratorical contest, and hopes to see more high school students participate. He said he spent time contacting speech and debate teachers in public and private schools, as well as home schooling groups, but it did not generate much interest this year.
Parrish and Commander Jim Culpepper invite the community to attend the area oratorical competition, which will start at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the American Legion on Poleline Avenue in Post Falls. The winner will advance to the state competition.
