The Inter-Mountain photo by Edgar Kelley Elkins American Legion District Chairman Donnie Lambert, left, shares a moment with Elkins High School freshman Juliana Harlan after Harlan captured first place in the sectional American Legion Oratorical Contest on Saturday. Harlan will compete at the American Legion Department of West Virginia Oratorical Contest on March 9.

ELKINS — Elkins High School freshman Juliann Harlan advanced to the West Virginia American Legion Oratorical contest after capturing first place in the Section B competition on Saturday.

Harlan, who won the District 9 contest back in January, defeated Grafton High School senior Nathan Castle (District 2) and Hampshire High School junior Austin Smith (District 10) to move on.

“Juliann has shown a vast improvement from the district level to the sectional level,” Elkins American Legion District Chairman Donnie Lambert told The Inter-Mountain. “I think she will do fine in the states. I already told her she has to come back next year to defend her district and sectional titles.”

Saturday’s competition was held at American Legion H.W. Daniels Post 29 in Elkins. Harlan took home $300 for her victory. She will now compete in the American Legion Department of West Virginia Oratorical contest on March 9 at Shinnston Post 31. The state contest is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

Just six students from Elkins High School have ever advanced past state competition. That list includes Hayden Long (2018), Lauren Spears (2014), David Conway (1968), Thomas Craig (1963-1964), Patsy Dugan (1960), and Julie Ann Rohr (1959).

“Even if Juliann doesn’t win states this time, she will go back and win at some point,” Lambert said. “She’s only a freshman and I think she is going to do well. If not, she still has plenty of time to win states. She is going to get the experience she needs in the future.”

Winners of the state contest will receive a four-year tuition waiver at a West Virginia college or university, and also $2,500. Those who win at states will move on to the national contest, which is scheduled for May 17-19 in Hillsdale, Michigan. The winner at nationals will receive $25,000, with the runner-up receiving $22,500 and third place $20,000.

During Saturday’s Section B contest, all three competitors talked about different aspects of the U.S. Constitution in an 8-10 minute prepared oration, and a 3-4 minute assigned topic.

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

“This is a program that high school students really should utilize more, because you can’t lose anything, all you’re going to lose is a little of your afternoon while you’re talking in front of some people,” said Lambert. “There’s really not that much to do to compete in it, but there is so much to gain from it.”