Semifinalists advance through Oratorical Contest | The American Legion

Semifinalists advance through 75th Oratorical Contest. Check later today for the finalists.

Excitement ran high as 52 top high school orators pressed near the bracket-board hoping they would survive the first round of intense competition. The 52 represent nearly all states from across America, the District of Columbia, the Department of France and the Department of Puerto Rico. Each comes to The American Legion Oratorical Contest with one objective: leave with the $18,000 college scholarship Sunday afternoon. Representatives of California, Ohio, Minnesota, Indiana, Nebraska, Illinois, Virginia, Idaho and Colorado earned the opportunity to return to competition late this afternoon for the semifinals. Only three will emerge from that round to the finals set for tomorrow. Reaching the semi-finals are Audrea Taylor, El Cajon, Calif.; Caroline McKenzie, Wilmington, Ohio; John Donaldson IV, Eden Prairie, Minn.; Rebecca Frazer, Morgantown, Ind.; Alex Whitney, Minden, Ne...

Full article: http://www.legion.org/oratorical/163171/semifinalists-adv...