Peoria Civic Center, With Semi-finals at 9:00 a.m. and Final Contest at 3:00 p.m.: Constitutional Speech Contest Communicates Character and Clear Understanding of the Duties, Responsibilities, Rights and Privileges of American Citizenship

For Immediate Release

BLOOMINGTON, Ill./EWORLDWIRE/March 4, 2011 --- High school students will step onto the podium at the Peoria Civic Center on Saturday to compete in the 74th Annual American Legion (http://www.illegion.org) High School Oratorical Scholarship Program.

Topics for the 2011 competition encompass Constitutional Amendments 8, 10, 26 and 27.

While all 18 rivals coming from and representing all five Illinois divisions will not return home with scholarships, all will leave with a deeper understanding of the U.S. Constitution. For students who take top honors, thousands of dollars in scholarships will help fund their college education, while receiving an opportunity to advance to National level competition to be held in April.

Over 30,000 students participate annually nationwide, according to the American Legion, which has conducted the competition for nearly three-quarters of a century.

Beginning on Friday evening, a contest briefing will be presented by Department Commander Richard Groharing, with an introduction of special guests, including Senator Pamela Althoff.

Saturday's full agenda begins for organizers at 7:30 a.m., while semi-finalists will start an hour later with a drawing for speaking order. Sometime about the middle of the day, judging will whittle away at the number of competitors. Near day's end, final contest results and awards will be presented.

"Oratorical competition helps us examine the history of our country," stated Department Commander Richard Groharing. "Students take centerstage to to demonstrate what they know about the Constitution as an exercise of our First Amendment Right to Free Speech. Our's is truly a great country - we are able to speak our minds without fear."

Scholarships totaling $13,075 will be awarded by the Department of Illinois with winners advancing to the National Oratorical Contest in Indianapolis, Ind., April 15-17, 2011.

Peoria Civic Center
201 Southwest Jefferson Avenue
Peoria, IL 61602-1448
(309) 680-3350

MEDIA: For interview arrangements, photo opportunities and commentary, contact Mark Sides at 309-721-3886.

HTML:   http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/212074
PDF:   http://www.eworldwire.com/pdf/212074.pdf
MOBILE:    http://e4mobile.com/view_release.php?id=212074
ONLINE NEWSROOM:   http://www.eworldwire.com/newsroom/313007.htm

CONTACT:
Mark Sides
American Legion
Department of Illinois
Headquarters PO Box 2910
Bloomington, IL 61701
PHONE. 309-721-3886

KEYWORDS: American, Legion, membership,Illinois, Public relations, department of Illinois, veteran, veterans service, veterans service organization, non profit, helping veterans, helping communities,post, legion post, new legion post, brain injury, Ptsd, GI Bill, C, education, high school students, oratorical competition

SOURCE: American Legion Department of Illinois