Above / Debasnata Dash (2nd Place), Athena Chen (3rd Place), Harshee Shah (1st Place), are pictured with John Nelson (Speech Contest Chairman) after the Annual 7th and 8th Grade Constitutional Speech Contest hosted by Naperville American Legion Post 43. (Photo courtesy Jim Vahle)
On February 8, 2020, seven excellent young speakers took the stage at the Naperville American Legion Hall, located at 10 W. Chicago Ave., to participate in the Annual 7th and 8th Grade Constitutional Speech Contest.
In a spirited and competitive contest that provided difficult decisions for the judges, Harshee Shah of Kennedy Junior High School prevailed.
Debasnata Das of Lincoln Junior High School was second and Athena Chen, also of Kennedy, took third place.
Each participant received a cash award and has been invited to compete at the District Contest on February 29. All contestants received an Amazon gift card.
Students present understanding of U.S. Constitution
The contests are intended to develop a deeper knowledge of the United States Constitution while furthering the students research, writing, and public speaking skills. Each student speaks for four to six minutes on a phase of the Constitution they have chosen. The Naperville contest, held in February every year, is open to 7th and 8th grade students in the general Naperville area.
The contest is a precursor to the American Legion’s High School Constitutional Oratorical Contest. Six winners of the Naperville High School contest since 2005 have gone on to win the State of IL contest. Two reached the finals in the National contest in Indianapolis, placing 2nd and 3rd. The state and national contests combined provide over $150,000 in scholarship awards to participants.
The American Legion is the Nation’s largest veteran’s organization. Its activities are formed around Four Pillars of Service: Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation – National Security – Americanism – Children and Youth.
Get to know Naperville American Legion / Dinner Social Feb. 15
Monthly membership meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 7PM at Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, located at 908 W. Jackson Ave. For info about annual membership that runs from July 1 to June 30, click here.
The February social dinner is set for Sat., Feb. 15, at the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, 906 W. Jackson Ave. This family dinner will recognize local youth, including scholarship winners, past Boys and Girls State participants, speech contest winners, and many others. The dinner menu features prime rib with sides and dessert. Reserve a seat no later than Wed., Feb. 12.
As usual social hour begins at 6PM, program begins at 6:45PM, and dinner at 7PM. The cost of the dinner remains $14 per person, $7 for kids 7-14, and children 6 and under eat free. A cash bar is available.
For information about all the educational programs, volunteer opportunities, speech and essay contests, Boys State, Girls State and other scholarships as well as almost-monthly dinner socials and other social events sponsored by American Legion Post 43, visit www.naperlegion.org.
Submitted by Jim Vahle for the Naperville American Legion Post 43.
