Owen Krahulick Wins First Place at American Legion District 12 Oratorical Speech Contest

November 09, 2021

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Owen Krahulik, Seward High Senior was named the winner in the American Legion –NE District 12 Oratorical Contest.  He is the son of Justin and Stephanie Krahulik of Seward.  Owen presented a nine minute-30 second memorized speech on the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution.  His speech was “The US Constitution and Change” and he was asked to speak extemporaneously on the Amendment VIII for three to five minutes and spoke 4:30 on the topic.

 The American Legion Oratorical Contest was held on Sunday, November 7, 2021 at 2:00 pm at the Seward Civic Center in Seward. William “Mac” Lawrence of Nehawka, NE the District 12 Commander, welcomed the group to the American Legion Oratorical District 12 Contest and Ken Meyer 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 was asked to speak extemporaneously for three to five minutes on the selected Amendment.  The Amendments selected for the contest were Amendments III, VIII, XIV-Section 3 or Amendment XXV-Section 4. 

Owen was awarded a special “Thomas Bosmenial” Memorial trophy, a gold medal and will receive a $100 cash scholarship from their District Contest, after he attends and participates in the Area contest, which is a requirement of the scholarship award. 

Judges for the event were educators-Cliff Lowell, Dr. Louis Reith and Anna Downing.  Riley Nuttleman served as the timer for the contest.  American Legion member Ken Meyer of Seward served as the Sergeant of Arms and William Lawrence served as the Tally Master.  Refreshments followed the contest. Clark Kolterman served as the program emcee.  

Owen will represent the District 12 at the American Legion Oratorical Area contest on December 4 at the Seward Civic Center in Seward at 2:00 in the East Basement Room and compete against three other District winners for the opportunity to represent the area at the Nebraska State American Legion Oratorical State Contest in January.  

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Photo L-R District 12 Comander William Mac Lawrence of Nehawka, SHS Senior Owen Krahulik, Anna Downing-Presentation of the Thomas Bosmenial Memorial Trophy-awarded to the winner of the American Legion District 12 Oratorical Speech Contest. Anna is the mother of the late Thomas Bosmenial.

Photo-L-R  Ken Meyer-Representing Seward American Legion Post 33, Judge Dr. Louis Reith, District 12 Commander William Mac Lawrence, Oratorical Winner Owen Krahulik, Judge Anna Downing, Judge Cliff Lowell and Timer Riley Nuttleman.