Post 57 winner also tops district orators

The 11th District Oratorical Contest sponsored by Kane and DuPage counties was held Feb. 2 at American Legion Post 57 in Elgin. The contest is comprised of two parts: an eight- to 10-minute prepared speech on what the Constitution means to the orator and a three- to five-minute extemporaneous oration on one of four amendments.

Although the orators know the four amendments, the specific amendment on which they speak is not determined until the day of the contest. Each orator is given but five minutes to prepare.

The 11th District thanks the following for their support for the contest:

Contest judges -- Thomas Wajda, Gillberts village president; Sue Olafson, Elgin public information officer; Sue Moylan, retired Elgin councilwoman, college administrator and Daily Herald columnist; and Denise Raleigh, Gail Borden Library communications director.

Timekeepers -- Jack Cook and Mark Morovich, Post 57.

Tabulators -- Bill Crane, Hampshire American Legion Post and Robert Eddy, Wayne Police Department administration.

Escorts -- Donald Sleeman and Charles Heilman, Post 57.

The orators and their finishes were:

1st Place ($150 cash award) -- Zachary Crocket (home schooled), winner of Elgin Post 57 and Kane County Council oratorical contests.

2nd Place ($100 cash award) -- Sabrina Lee (Timothy Christian High School), and the winner of the Naperville Post and DuPage County oratorical contests.

Crocket moves on to the 2nd Division Contest scheduled for Feb. 23 at Byron High School.

Any high school age student is eligible to compete in this contest and can compete in multiple years.

At the division and department (state) level competitions, monetary awards increase to the $1,400 to $4,000 range. At the regional and national levels, monetary awards are college scholarships of between $14,000 and $20,000.

Interested students should contact Elgin Post 57 at (847) 741-2358.

Tricia L. Dieringer

11th District

Americanism chairman

Elgin