EHS freshman wins oratorical contest

ELKINS -- Elkins High School freshman Juliann Harlan captured first place in the District 9 Oratorical Contest Saturday at American Legion Post 29's Calain Hall.

With the win, Harlan will advance to sectional competition next month at a location yet to be determined.

The contest was open to high school students, grades nine through 12, in Randolph, Barbour, Tucker, Pocahontas, Webster, Nicholas and Greenbrier counties.

"Since Juliann's only a freshman, I told her no matter how far she makes it from here, she has to keep coming back each year and competing while she's in high school," Elkins American Legion District Chairman Donnie Lambert told The Inter-Mountain.

"Competing all four years in high school will give her some really good experience. This competition is an amateur speech contest and these kids are just learning, and I thought that Juliann did remarkably well for a freshman. I think she will do great at the Sectionals." 

During the first part of the contest, Harland, who received a check for $200 and a medal for her victory, had to give an eight-to-10 minute prepared speech to a panel of judges on a topic related to the U.S. Constitution.

During the second part of the contest, Harlan gave a three-to-five minute speech on the topic of the 12th Amendment, regarding the Electoral College.

The sectional winner will receive a $300 check and a medal, and will advance to the State Competition, taking place in Shinnston.

Only two Elkins High School students have won at the state level, both in the last 10 years: Lauren Spears in 2014 and Hayden Long in 2018.

State winners will receive a four-year tuition waiver at a West Virginia college or university, and also $2,500. The winner of the national competition, which is scheduled for May 17-19 in Hillsdale, Michigan, will earn $25,000. The national runner-up will receive $22,500, while the third-place winner will earn $20,000.

The Oratorical Scholarship Program's first contest took place in 1953. Detroit Catholic Central High School student Andrew Kil won the national competition the past two years.