"Citizenship is the chance to make a difference to the place where you belong."
Charles Handy
Congratulations to our 2025 Winner Peter Bott
The 2026 Department Oratorical Contest- TBD
Participants in the American Legion Oratorical Contest develop leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and are better prepared to accept the duties and responsibilities, for the rights and privileges of American citizenship.
The Wisconsin Oratorical Regional Contest is scheduled TBD, at Ripon College in the Todd Wehr Building. Opening ceremonies begin at 9 AM, contests begin at 10 AM.
The winners of the Regional contest will compete in the Finals contest, held the same day at 12:45 PM in the Todd Wehr Building of Ripon College.
All Districts will send their winner certifications to Department Headquarters by March 1, 2026.
Get Involved
If you are interested in volunteering at the Department contest, please contact Sheri Hicks.
Oratorical Scholarships
- Each District winner will receive an Oratory Medal
- Each Regional participant will receive a $600 scholarship
- The winner of each Regional contest will receive a $1,000 scholarship
- The Department finalists receive $2000 for first, $1500 for second, and $1000 for third place.
- National finalists receive $25,000 for first, $22,500 for second, and $20,000 for third place.
Each Department (State) winner who is certified into, and participates in the national contest's 1st round receives a $2,000 scholarship. Those who advance past the 1st round receive an additional $2,000 scholarship. The American Legion's National Organization awards the scholarships, which can be used at any college or university in the United States.
Program Brochures can be downloaded from the PR Toolkit by clicking HERE!
2025 National Convention
The 2025 National Convention runs August 22nd through 28th. General sessions start on Tuesday, August 26th. For more information on the Convention, please click the button below.
The 2026 National Convention will be in Louisville, KY. Start making plans today!
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