No Moore County registrations yet: American Legion calls students to join Constitution speech contest

The American Legion Post 296 in Vass said there is time for students to prepare for the regional Oratorical Contest by Dec. 18. The national deadline is Jan. 7.

The American Legion’s National Oratorical Contest invites high school students to dig into the U.S. Constitution while sharpening their confidence, leadership and speaking skills.

Since 1938, the program has helped young people think critically, speak with purpose and prepare for active citizenship. Past competitors include former Vice President Mike Pence, commentator Lou Dobbs and former presidential candidate Alan Keyes.

The contest is more than a scholarship opportunity. It is an experience that reminds students why civic engagement matters. Participants gain a stronger understanding of the Constitution and what it means to be an American citizen.

Students build integrity, learn to advocate for themselves and others, and discover the power of their own voice.

For many students, the reward is not the trophy; it is the confidence and character they carry into their future roles.

American Legion Member Georgia Hughes Nelsen said there had not been any registrations in Moore County after notifying the school district in Aug.

“We ought to be inundated with kids who want to be speaking,” Nelsen said.

Vass Post 296 offered to host workshops to help students prepare and to ease teachers’ workloads.

Moore County has no registrations. Rockingham and Hamlet Counties have three registrations. Mt. Gilead has one registration.

“The contest needs to be embraced by the community. It’s for all, regardless of political beliefs,” Nelsen said about building better citizens and fighting groupthink because it kills critical thinking.

Patriotism requires independent thought. It is a sign of strength.

Groupthink silences diverse viewpoints, even though open debate and the freedom to disagree are central to American democracy.

Patriotism means understanding the nation’s achievements and acknowledging its challenges, but a conformity-based environment shuts down independent ideas.

The Oratorical Contest is the student’s opportunity to speak out about their love of country and their own ideas and earn scholarships.

The first-place national winner earns a $25,000 scholarship. Read the contest rules here.

“A community member submitted a flyer request for this opportunity on September 1, 2025, and it was approved the same day. As part of the approval process, we shared our Display and Distribution of Non-School Material guidelines, which outline the requester’s responsibilities for delivering materials to schools for distribution. We did not receive any follow-up communication regarding when the approved flyers would be delivered to schools.

This scholarship opportunity has been shared with our high schools, and schools are prepared to meet The American Legion’s school-level deadlines should they have interested students who wish to participate. At this time, we are not aware of any student registrations,” Moore County Schools wrote in an email response Nov. 24.

To enter the contest, contact Rora Kellis at ncpost296@gmail.com or 910-556-9796.

Nov. 25, 2025

Stephanie M. Sellers

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