Thomas Bosmeniel Places Third at State American Legion Speech Contest

January 23, 2017

Launch the media gallery 1 player

Thomas Bosmeniel, Junior at Seward High, placed third in the recent American Legion Oratorical Contest sponsored by the Nebraska Department of the American Legion in Grand Island, Nebraska on Saturday, January 14^th at the Grand Motel.  The Oratorical Contest was a feature of the Nebraska Department of the American Legion Mid-Year Conference. 

Thomas was asked to write and present a memorized ten minute speech on some aspect of the US Constitution. His ten minute speech was titled “The US Constitution-A Firm Foundation!”  He was also asked to speak for five minutes on one of the US amendments, which they drew at the conference. He spoke on the Seventh Amendment-“In suits of common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of the trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rule of common law.

Thomas was sponsored by the Seward American Legion Post #33 and first won the District Contest and the Regional contest to compete at the State Contest.  He received a large Nebraska trophy and a check for $400, along with a $100 check for being the District/Regional winner.

The winner in the State Contest was Michael McClellan of Omaha Creighton Prep High, Second place went to Juan Valosco of Columbus from Lincoln Christian, Thomas Bosmeniel of Seward High won third and Fourth place went to Jenessa Carley of Dalton, attending Leyton High- near Sidney, NE.  

Thomas is the son of Anna Downing and Raul Bosmeniel.  Thomas Bosmeniel’s speech coach is Clark Kolterman of Seward.