H.W. Dare Maness High School Oratorical Program

The purpose of The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program "A Constitutional Speech Contest" is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership skills, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, the rights, and privileges of American citizenship.  All Department & Semi-Final Scholarships must be used within five years from graduation from high school.

NATIONALSCHOLARSHIPS:  The winner at the Department/state) level who is certified into and participates in the first round of the national contest will receive a $2,000.00 National scholarship.

Each first round winner who advances to and participates in the second round, but does not advance to the final round, will receive an additional $2,000.00 scholarship to pursue education at any college or university in the United States.

National scholarship awards are presented to the three finalists in the final round of the national contest as follows:               

1st place - $25,000.00

2nd place - $22,500.00

3rd place - $20,000.00

A contestant must give both their prepared oration and the assigned topic discourse in order to receive the scholarship.                               

All questions regarding the 2025 / 2026 contest should be directed to:

Chairman -Robert Scherer - 828-292-6031-rdscherer@ymail.com

Department Adjutant - 803-612-1171  or deptsc@southcarolinalegion.org

All 2026 Contests for the "Semi-finalest" will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026 @ locations listed below, for further information on each contest, please see the contact person and number for each contest:

 Semi Final # One Location