September 1, 2026
American Legion
District 21,
Department of Texas
Dear District 21 Post Commanders,
American Legion District 21 is pleased to announce the 2027 American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program’s “Constitutional Speech Contest”. This year’s program begins in November 2026 when local high school students may enter your posts’ competitions to qualify for the Texas and National Oratorical Programs which can ultimately lead to awards of over $200,000 in scholarships to participants. As an integral and critical component of the American Legion’s 3rd and 4th Pillars, the Oratorical Contest provides an exceptional opportunity to instill a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the U. S. Constitution among our nation’s students. Participants grow in leadership ability, and the capacity to think and speak clearly and intelligently about the rights, responsibilities, obligations and privileges of U. S. citizens.
Begin communicating with your local high schools now to allow them sufficient time to prepare and select their entrants to compete in the posts’ competition. Each Legion post must complete its contest, selecting one winner, between November 7 and December 5, 2026, to compete in our District’s contest, which will be held between December 6, 2026 and not later than (NLT) January 9, 2027. The winners of the District competition will then be eligible to compete in the American Legion 4th Division contest scheduled on or after January 9, 2027, but NLT February 7, 2027. The winner at 4th Division will then be eligible to compete in the Department of Texas contest on Monday, February 15, 2027, with the opportunity to continue on to the American Legion national competition. Further details on the program, contest rules and regulations, and specific oration topics to be presented by the contestants are addressed on the Texas legion website at www.txlegion.org Be sure to have your posts share this information with their area high school faculties.
Additional materials including program brochures, handouts, and registration forms will be forwarded to you when available. We are looking forward to a lively District 21 competition, and strongly encourage you and your posts to share this scholarship-awarding opportunity with your area’s high school principals and counselors. If you have questions or comments, please contact Larry Miller, the District 21 Oratorical Contest coordinator, via email at lpmiller668@yahoo.com or call him direct at (325) 718-8661.
Don Gray, Commander, District 21
American Legion Department of Texas