EHS student, reigning state champion, competes at Post 29
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ELKINS -- An Elkins High School student will compete in a sectional American Legion oratorical contest this month, after having won the statewide contest last year.
Juliann Harlan, now a sophomore at EHS, won the 9th District Oratorical Contest at American Legion Post 29 in Elkins on Jan. 25. She will now proceed to the Section B contest on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Post 29 at 10 a.m.
In March 2024, Harlan, competing as a high school freshman, won the statewide contest at American Legion Post 31 in Shinnston.
Harlan competed against the Section A and C champions, both 12th graders. The students gave speeches on topics involving the U.S. Constitution.
The winner of the state contest receives a four-year tuition waiver at a West Virginia college or university, and also $2,500.
Harlan then moved on to the national contest last May in Hillsdale, Michigan.
Just six other students from Elkins High School have ever advanced past the 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).
On her way to the state competition last year, Harlan captured first place in the Section B competition, held at American Legion H.W. Daniels Post 29 in Elkins in February 2024. During that contest, she defeated Grafton High School senior Nathan Castle (District 2) and Hampshire High School junior Austin Smith (District 10) to move on.
Harlan had already captured first place in the District 9 Oratorical Contest at American Legion Post 29's Calain Hall in January 2024.
The Oratorical Scholarship Program's first contest took place in 1953.
Students must be enrolled in high school or junior high school during the time of participation at any level of The American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest.
Eligible participants must be citizens of or lawful permanent residents of the United States.
All contestants must be bona fide students herein described as any student under the age of 20 years on the date of the national contest who is presently enrolled in a high school or junior high school (public, parochial, military, private or home school).