National High School Oratorical Contest
On Sunday, Feb. 5, District 7th of Minnesota American Legion held its annual Oratorical Contest which was hosted by the Willmar American Legion. Chairman Rueben Nathe of Litchfield conducted the contest. He was assisted by District Commander Karen (Welander) Manson of Sunburg and member of the Willmar American Legion, and many volunteers from throughout the 14 counties of the 7th District. Willmar Post #167 hosted the contest and also provided volunteers.
The purpose of the American Legion’s High School (grades 9-12) Oratorical Contest is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students, and to win scholarship money. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, rights, and privileges of American citizenship.
The 2023 first-place champion and award winner is Megan Blonigen, a junior at Eden Valley-Watkins School District. Megan will receive a $700 scholarship and the opportunity to advance to represent the 7th District in the Department/State Contest. Megan repeated as she won the 7th District 2022 contest last year. She advanced and also won the Department/State Contest which made her eligible to compete in the national contest held in Indianapolis, Ind. At the national contest, she advanced to the second round to win additional scholarship funds. Megan earned $5,200 in scholarship funds last year. Second-place award winner was Travis Crusoe, a senior at Litchfield school district, who will receive a $500 scholarship award.
The Minnesota Department/State Contest will be held Saturday, Feb. 26. It will be hosted by the Osseo and Anoka American Legion posts. The Minnesota Contest winners will receive the following scholarship awards: 1st place – $1,500, 2nd place – $1,000, 3rd place – $700, 4th place – $500. The Minnesota winner will advance to the national contest.
The national contest will be held April 21-23, at Indianapolis, Ind. The national winners will receive the following scholarship awards: 1st place – $25,000, 2nd place – $22,500, 3rd place – 20,000. Each Department/State winner who participates in the first round of the National Contest will receive a $2,000 scholarship and, if advancing to the 2nd level, an additional $2,000.
Congratulations, Megan! We all wish Megan the best as she competes in the Department/State Contest to represent the 7th District and Eden Valley. We are all cheering for her.
Submitted by Rueben Nathe
American Legion District #7
Americanism & Oratorical Chairman