Owen Krahulik, SHS Senior, Wins American Legion Regional Oratorical Speech Contest –State Qualifier
Owen Krahulik, High School was selected the First Place winner in the recent American Legion Oratorical Regional C contest in Seward. He is the son of Justin and Stephanie Krahulik of Seward. The American Legion Oratorical Contest was held on Sunday December 5th at 2:00 pm at the Seward Civic Center in Seward. Owen Krahulik was previously selected to represent District 12 and American Legion Post of Seward #33 at the Regional C Contest. James Doyen, Hastings, Ne-Area C Vice-Commander, welcomed the group on behalf of the American Legion Oratorical Regional Contest and Joe Ruzicka - Commander 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. He drew Amendment VIII for the 3-5 minute extemporaneous speech on the Freedoms. He spoke for 9:56 seconds for his memorized speech on the US Constitution and 4:05 for his extemporaneous speech on Amendment VIII.
Krahulik was awarded a trophy and he received his $100 cash scholarship from the District Contest, after he attended and participated in the Area contest-- which was a requirement of the scholarship award. Krahulik’s speech was titled “The US Constitution and Change.” He also spoke on Amendment VIII dealing with cruel and unusual punishment and with excessive bail.
Judges for the event were Sue Imig, and Gregg Hollway. Riley Nuttleman served as the timer for the contest. American Legion member Ken Meyer of Seward served as the Sergeant of Arms and James Doyen served as the Tally Master. Refreshments followed the contest. Clark Kolterman served as the program emcee.
Krahulik will represent Region C at the State American Legion Oratorical contest and compete against three other regional winners at the State Contest in January in Columbus, competing for the opportunity to represent Nebraska at the National American Legion Oratorical contest in Indianapolis. He 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. Krahulik was officially sponsored by the Seward American Legion Post #33 of Seward.
Photo L-R Joe Ruzicka-Commander-Seward Legion Post 33, Judge Gregg Holloway, James Doyen-Hastings -Area C Vice-Commander, Owen Krahulik-Champion Speaker at Area C American Legion Oratorical Contest, Judge Sue Imig, Ken Meyer-Seward Legion Post #33.