Two Lake County students advance in oratorical competition

Grayslake Central High School was the venue Jan. 7 for the Lake County portion of the American Legion’s High School Oratorical Contest.

Part of a national competition, top winners at the national level can receive up to $18,000 in scholarship money. The contest is a tradition that dates back to 1938.

By participating, Lake County high school students develop a deeper knowledge of the Constitution of the United States as they speak on various topics under the theme of “Americanism” in front of an audience of American Legion members.

Contestants were rated on constitutional knowledge and oratorical skills.

The first-place winner was John Brown of Grayslake Central, who will advance to the state finals March 3 in Peoria. The second-place winner, Alex Mazza, also of Grayslake Central, advances to the semifinal state round.

If successful, both students are eligible to compete in the national competition in Indianapolis against 49 other state winners. The top three winners at the national level receive scholarships of $18,000, $16,000 and $14,000, respectively.

The judges for the Lake County competition were: Patricia Fix, chief of the Felony Trial Division of the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office; John Barbini, principal of Grant Community High School; 62nd District State Representative Sandy Cole; and Lake County Associate Judge Nancy Waites.

For the first presentation, each contestant chose a phrase from the U.S. Constitution that gave emphasis to the duties and obligations of a citizen for a prepared oration.

Each contestant was then required, with five minutes’ notice, to deliver an extemporaneous speech on the randomly drawn topic of the 14th amendment.

To track the local winners as they move up in the competition, or for more information about next year’s competition, visit www.illegion.org.