American Legion names winner in speech contest

Special to the Enquirer  

Hartselle High School senior Britney Cottingham has been chosen winner of the American Legion Oratorical Contest, held at Hartselle’s American Legion Post 52.   

Cottingham was awarded $300 and will now advance to compete in the 12th District Contest. 

Each contestant was required to deliver a prepared oration as well as an oration on a randomly assigned constitutional topic. According to the American Legion, Cottingham’s impressive delivery of her speech titled “The Controversial Amendments of America” gained her the award. 

Legionnaires Michael Ferguson and Charles Doubek said they were proud to award Cottingham with this honor and were impressed with both her knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and her superior public speaking skills.   

“I think this is such a great program for our young people, especially in today’s environment where there is a huge misunderstanding of our Constitution and what all it stands for,” added Ferguson, who serves as post commander. “Britney did a wonderful job, and as we continue to have this annual program, I hope that she and future winners will be able to spread the knowledge of the foundational document of our great country.”  

Since 1938, the American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program has encouraged the nation’s high school students to study the U.S. Constitution and hone their public speaking skills. Local high schools are encouraged to participate in this contest, which awards several cash prizes to the winners. 

For more information, visit www.legion.org/oratorical or contact Doubek, Americanism chair for Post 52, at charlesdoubek@gmail.com.