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American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest

Verified August 13, 2026

Amount
$2,000–$25,000
Deadline
April 5, 2027 235 days left
Essay
None
Min GPA
None

A constitutional speech contest in which high school students deliver a prepared oration on the U.S. Constitution plus an assigned-topic discourse. Competition advances from American Legion posts through state finals to the national contest, where top finishers earn up to $25,000 and each certified state winner receives $2,000. For the 2027 cycle, state winners must be certified by April 5, 2027.

Eligibility Requirements

Contestants must be U.S. citizens or have legal residency or visitor status, and must be under age 20 on the date of the national contest. They must be enrolled in a public, parochial, military, private, or state-accredited home school program of high school level, grades 9 through 12, while competing. Students enter through the American Legion department (state) where they live or attend school, and may compete in only one state.

How to Apply

Apply directly through The American Legion's official application — no essay required. Review the eligibility requirements above first, and give yourself time before the April 5, 2027 deadline.

Apply at legion.org →

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