Historical Oration Contest
“The Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest is open to all high school students (9th through 12th grades) interested in the American Revolution. The contest is for all students attending public, parochial, private or home school students in that same grade range. The preliminary rounds of the contest begin at the local level, students may potentially advance to the state or national levels where scholarships and cash prizes are awarded.
Each student’s five-to-six-minute speech (and accompanying manuscript) will be judged based upon its composition, delivery, significance, and historical accuracy and relevance. Three cash/scholarship awards are given: the National First Place Winner receives $6,000; the 2nd Place Runner-up receives $4,000; and the 3rd Place Runner-up receives $2,000 cash prize. Each also receives an Olympic-sized medal. All other finalists (4th through 6th Place runners-up) are awarded $500 cash and all other national contestants are awarded $200 cash. Please be aware that the local and state application deadline dates may vary, so interested applicants should reach out to their local SAR chapter for further details.”
How do I get started? Click here.
How do I expand this narrative arc? If you are interested in civics, policy, debate and history, consider some of the other ways to deepen and broaden your experience in these areas.
We the People speech competitions
Spend a week gaining insight into the workings of the U.S. Senate and the federal government at the U.S. Senate Summer Program
Expand your expertise into the international realm with Best Delegate Model UN’s online programs and summer camps.
Convene a Youth Town Hall in your community to start a dialogue between young people and community leaders.
HOT TIP: This is a great way to unite your interest in American History with some serious cash. It will elevate your profile, and it doesn’t have to involve a lot of work outside of what you’re already doing in the classroom!