J J Metschke and Molly Marroquin Named Champions of American Legion District 12 Oratorical Contest
Launch the media gallery 1 playerSHS Senior, J. J. Metschke and Molly Marroquin-Seventh Grader at St. John Lutheran School in Seward, were named Champions in the American Legion District 12 Oratorical Contest Senior and Junior Divisions on Sunday, November 22, 2020 at 2:00 pm at the Seward Civic Center.
Molly Marroquin, is the daughter of Tina and Jon P Marroquin of Seward. She presented a prepared oration on the US Constitution and the Judicial System. The Junior Division is open to students in Grades 6-8 and their presentation must be on some aspect of the US Constitution. She attends St. John Lutheran School in Seward and is in the Seventh Grade. She was awarded a gold First Place District 12 Medal and will represent the Junior Division at the Regional Contest on Dec. 6th in Seward at 2:00 at the Civic Center.
SHS Senior, J. J. Metschke is the son of Amy and Jon Metschke of Seward. He was required to write, memorize and present an eight to ten minute speech on some aspect of the US Constitution. He presented the speech “America’s Pastime” and compared the US Constitution Amendment system to the game of baseball. He was also required to address one of four extemporaneous topics –and drew Amendment XXII and was required to speak on the amendment for three to five minutes.
Welcomes were presented by David Glantz of Lincoln-District 12 Commander, Bonnie Brewer-
Elmwood-Regional Commander, and Joe Ruzicka of Seward-Seward American Legion Post 33 Commander. Ken Meyer, with American Legion Post 33 of Seward served as the Sergeant of Arms and candidate escort. Judges for the contest were Cliff Lowell of Seward, Anna Downing of Ulysses and Greg Holloway of Bee. Riley Nuttleman of Seward and Jen Mill of Clay Center served as the timers. Clark Kolterman of Seward served as the contest emcee.
J.J. Metschke of Seward was awarded the American Legion Gold Oratorical Medal, a $100 scholarship and the “Thomas Bosmeniel Memorial” Chrystal Trophy-awarded to the Champion Speaker at the District 12 Oratorical Contest. The late Thomas Bosmeniel had been the District 12 American Legion Speech Contest Champion twice and represented District 12 and the Region at the State Level twice-placing Second Runner-up and First Runner-up in the State American Legion Speech Contest. The memorial award was presented by his mother, Anna Downing of Ulysses. He will represent District 12 at the Regional Contest in Seward, Dec. 6th at 2:00 pm at the Civic Center.
Launch the media gallery 2 playerThe contest was hosted by the Seward American Legion Post 33 at the Seward Civic Center in the Civic Center basement, following social protocol and required masks on all participants until they spoke, as well as the audience in attendance. The next contest is the American Legion Regional Contest also held at the Seward Civic Center on Sunday, December 6th, 2020 at 2:00 pm.