Wednesday, February 27, 2002

Legion names oratorical winners By CAROLYN CARY ccary@TheCitizenNews.com An oratorical contest conducted by the local American Legion Post 105 produced three winners. Post Commander John Dufresne announced that David Ballard, a junior at Starr's Mill High School, took first place, along with a check for $250 and a gold oratory medal; Amber Hikes, a senior at Fayette County High School, went home with a check for $150 and a silver medal, and Julia Wilson received a check for $100 and a bronze medal. Also participating was Maria-Kristina Stanley, a senior at Starr's Mill High School. The national office of the American Legion sets the contest each year along with its parameters. Bona fide students enrolled in a public, parochial, military, private or state accredited home school are eligible. The topic this year was "The United States Constitution" and the speech had to be at least eight and no more than 10 minutes long. The entrant needed to speak on some phase of the Constitution, giving emphasis to the attendant duties and obligations of a citizen to the government. Four topics in addition were given each student in advance, and they had to be prepared for a three- to five-minute speech on any one of the four topics. Ballard competed at the district level Feb. 9 at the American Legion Post House 51 in East Point, where he placed second. He also presented his speech at Post 105's regular meeting Feb. 11. Serving as judges were State Court Judge Fletcher Sams, County Commissioner Linda Wells, library director Chris Snell, Jill Prouty and Carleton Williams. What do you think of this story? Click here to send a message to the editor. Back to the News Home Page| Back to the top of the page