Damascus American Legion Post 171
Announces the
2026 High School Oratorical Contest
Attention area home-schooled students as well as students from Damascus, Clarksburg, Watkins Mill, and Sherwood High Schools!
Want to learn about our Nation's history, values, and leadership qualities? Along the way, do you want to learn valuable lessons in research and public speaking? Want to do all of this AND win valuable scholarship money?
If the answer to any of the above is 'yes,' then the American Legion Oratorical Contest is for you!
Scholarships
Damascus American Legion Post 171 will award the winner of the contest with a scholarship check of $1,000.00 for the winner, $500.00 for second-place, and $300.00 for a third-place finish.
Additionally, the winner of the Post 171 contest will have the opportunity to compete at additional American Legion contest levels, culminating at the National Contest in May 2026 with a chance to win a total of $33,000.00 in scholarship money.
Contest Timeline
Registration for the Post 171 contest needs to be completed by Friday, January 10, 2026.
The Post 171 contest will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, January 31, 2026. The contest will be held at Damascus American Legion Post 171 at 10201 Lewis Drive in Damascus.
The Maryland State contest will be held March 22, 2026. For more information, see
https://mdlegion.org/oratorical.htm
Interested students who have questions or wish to register can contact Post 171 Oratorical Contest Chairman Sean Egan at 240-600-7312 or email 171baseball@gmail.com