The purpose of The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States among high school students. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, rights, and privileges of American citizenship. All contestants must be presently enrolled in a high school or junior high school (public, parochial, military, private or state accredited homeschool) in which the curriculum of said high school is considered to be of high school level, commencing with grade 9 and terminating with grade 12. High school students that graduate early during the school year are eligible to compete if they are not enrolled in a college, university, trade school or other institution of higher learning at the time of the department finals contest. The student must either live in or attend school in Pennsylvania and can only compete in Pennsylvania. Scholarship awards are presented to the winners of the contest. These scholarships may be used to attend any college, trade school, or university. The student must submit an application to any Pennsylvania Post for sponsorship by December 1, 2024. The contestants must prepare an oration. The topic for the 2025 contest is based on the Amendment I; Amendment VII; Amendment XVIII Sections 1, 2, and 3; Amendment XXVI Sections 1 and 2 of the U.S. Constitution. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania for more information.