J J Metschke Named First Runner up at American Legion Regional Oratorical Speech Contest
Launch the media gallery 1 playerMicKael Halverstadt of Carleton, NE, the daughter of-Sheena Halverstadt and a Senior at Thayer Central High School was selected the First Place winner in the recent American Legion Oratorical Regional C contest in Seward and J.J. Metschke, Seward High Junior, was named First Runner-Up in the Area C Contest. The American Legion Oratorical Contest was held on Saturday, December 01, 2019 at 7:00 pm at the Seward Civic Center in Seward. JJ Metschke was selected to represent District 12 and American Legion Post of Seward #33 at the Regional Contest and MicKael represented District 11 and American Legion Post 180 from Hebron. Bonnie Brewer of Elmwood, Ne-Area C Vice-Commander, welcomed the group on behalf of the American Legion Oratorical Regional Contest and Jim Ehlers, of the Seward American Legion Post #33, the host for the contest, welcomed the visitors to the contest and to the Seward Civic Center and Seward. The gathering opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the US Flag.
Each contestant was asked to prepare and write an eight to ten minute oration on some aspect of the US Constitution, then draw one of four US Constitution Amendments and then to speak extemporaneously for three to five minutes on the selected Amendment. The Amendments selected for the contest were Amendments 12, 22, 24 and 27. They drew Amendment 24 for the 3-5 minute extemporaneous speech on the Freedoms.
Each finalist was awarded a trophy and they received their $100 cash scholarship from their District Contest, after they attended and participated in the Area contest, which was a requirement of the scholarship award. MicKael’s speech was titled “Immigration and the US Constitution,” and JJ’s speech was titled “America’s Favorite Pastime!”
Judges for the event were educators-Tonia Nantkes, Dr. Louis Reith and Nancy Schulz. Riley Nuttleman served as the timer for the contest. American Legion member Ken Meyer of Seward served as the Sergeant of Arms and Bonnie Brewer served as the Tally Master. Refreshments followed the contest. Clark Kolterman served as the program emcee.
MicKael will represent Region C at the State American Legion Oratorical contest and compete against three other regional winners for the opportunity to represent Nebraska at the National American Legion Oratorical contest in January in Norfolk. She will again be asked to present a ten minute oration on some aspect of the US Constitution and one of the same four Amendments to be drawn that evening. There are five Districts competing at the Regional Level. The winner from the Regional level will advance to the State Contest in January. J J was officially sponsored by the Seward American Legion Post #33. MicKael is sponsored by American Legion Post 180 in Hebron.