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AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT OF VERMONT HIGH SCHOOL ORATORICAL CONTEST - 2008 CONGRATULATIONS TO 1ST PLACE WINNER BROOKE CONNOR MIDDLEBURY HIGH SCHOOL - SOPHOMORE RUNNERS UP CAROLYN HEYDINGER BRATTLEBORO HIGH SCHOOL MICHAEL STEARNS GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, BENNINGTON VT This marks our 69th year of awarding scholarships in the National High School Oratorical Program.  This program was initiated in 1938 to develop a deeper knowledge and understanding among high school students of the Constitution of the United States of America.  The participants also obtain the ability to think, speak intelligently and prepare, through understanding, for the responsibilities, rights and privileges of American Citizenship. National Scholarships awarded annually are in the amount of $138,000.  The responsibility for the National Contest site and establishing dates lies within the National Americanism Commission of The American Legion. Another purpose of the program is to assist students in paying the high cost of a college education.  On the National level, The American Legion Life Insurance Fund provides the scholarship money for the program.  The first place winner in the National Contest takes home $18,000 and the next two finishers receive $16,000 and $14,000 respectively.  Each Department (State) winner who is certified into and participates in the first round of the National Contest will receive a $1,500 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 $1,500 scholarship to pursue education beyond high school. The American Legion takes great pride in the contest and a strong interest in the contestants and their families.  For this reason, participants have cited the experience of meeting people involved in this program as a special benefit of the competition.  Entrants reaching advanced levels of the contest have the added chance to meet students and Legionnaires from throughout the Nation. In order to reach the National Contest, contestants must participate at the High School, District and State Level.  The winner of the High School Contest will proceed to the District Contest and the winner of the District Contest will proceed to the State Championship. The State winner receives $2,000 from The American Legion Department of Vermont and the privilege of competing at the National Contest.  The runners up in the State Contest will each receive $100 from The American Legion Department of Vermont.  All contestants may apply for additional scholarship funds from The American Legion Department of Vermont. Contact: Ronald Aldrich, 802.295-2993 or relic0929@aol.com for more information or an questions. STATE CONTEST FEBRUARY 23, 2008  CHESTER POST #67 - CHESTER VT 9:00 A.M. NATIONAL FINALS - April 4-6, 2008 Indianapolis, IN 2007 - 2008 DEPARTMENT ORATORICAL CHAIRMAN               Ronald Aldrich, P O Box 112, No. Hartland, VT 05052  TEL:  295-2993  -                        E-mail:  relic0929@aol.com 1st District (Addison, Chittenden and Franklin County)      SCHOOL CONTEST:  Saturday, January 19, 2008, - 9:00 a.m.  - Vergennes American Legion Post #14, Vergennes, VT DISTRICT CONTEST:  Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 9:00 a.m. - Vergennes American Legion Post #14, Vergennes VT CONTACT: Edward Charbonneau, P O Box 141, Vergennes VT 05491 - TEL:  425-4971 2nd District (Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans County) CONTEST:Saturday, February 9, 2008 - 2:00 p.m. - Newport Post #21 CONTACT:  Bill Graham, 110 Sias Ave, Newport VT 05855  TEL:  334-8013                       E-mail:  wwallacegraham@msn.com 3rd District (Lamoille, Orange, and Washington County) CONTEST:  Saturday, February 2, 2008 - 9:00 a.m. - Peoples Academy, Copley Ave, Morrisville VT   CONTACT:  Fred Latour, 2284 Barton Orleans Rd, Barton VT 05822   TEL:  754-9692                       E-mail:  flatour2@verizon.net 4th District (Bennington and Rutland County) CONTEST:  Saturday, February 10, 2008 - 9:00 a.m. - West Rutland Post #87 CONTACT:  Leslie Howe, 63 Lafayette St, Rutland, VT 05701  TEL:  747-0498                             E-mail:  lesfreda@aol.com 5th District (Windham and Windsor County) CONTEST:  Saturday, February 9, 2008 - Hartford Post #26 - White River Jct VT - 9:00 a.m. CONTACT:  Ronald Aldrich, P O Box 112, No. Hartland, VT 05052  TEL:  295-2993                              E-mail:  relic0929@aol.com You should contact the District Representative in the area nearest you for information on setting up a contest in your school and the date for the District Contest OR you can call The American Legion of Vermont Department Headquarters at 802-223-7131, toll free at 800-501-7131 or E-mail us at alvthq@verizon.net . Click here: www.legion.org for more information on the American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest.