12/09/2025
the Annual Oratorial Contest info.....
January 17, 2026 — 1:00 PM
Town Hall
Prizes: 1st Place — $300, 2nd Place — $200, 3rd Place — $100
This prestigious scholarship competition—established before World War II—is an excellent résumé builder.
Participants must be American citizens and deliver an 8–10 minute speech on any aspect of the U.S. Constitution, without notes. This level of the competition will be held here in Poolesville.
At the next level (date and location TBD), participants will again present their 8–10 minute prepared address and will then be randomly assigned one of four amendments (listed below). They must then speak 3–5 minutes on the assigned amendment.
This is the level where significant prize awards begin.
Winners advance to the State competition, and the State champion receives an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the National Finals at Hillsdale College in Michigan.
Assigned Topics for the 2026 Oratorical Contest
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Article III — Section 3 (Treason)
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.
Article IV — Section 4
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.
Article VI — Clause 3
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
