Payton Wadsworth was awarded second place in the 2024 American Legion 8th District High School Oratorical Contest.
The speech contest was held Dec. 29 at the Des Moines Area Community College Campus in Carroll. Both the second and first place winners will compete at the next level Jan. 12. Payton, a senior at Greene County High School, received a $500 check along with a certificate. She previously received $100 at the Post Level contest. The name of Payton’s speech was “We the People”.
The American Legion Oratorical Scholarship Program began in 1938 and encourages high school students to study the U.S. Constitution and improve their public speaking skills. Each speaker is judged on depth of knowledge of their topic and presentation and speaking skills demonstrated in their delivery. It is open to students in grades 9-12.
Post 11 offers this scholarship opportunity every fall. Chair Labate reports this is the first time Post 11 has had a candidate for this program. “It takes an extraordinary student to put in the time and effort to compete in this program, but the sense of accomplishment and the money awarded is well worth all of the work,” Labate said. The scholarship awards continue to increase at each level, with the National winner receiving $25,000.
