Damascus American Legion hold oratorical competitions
by Nesa Nourmohammadi, Staff Writer
George Bolling/submitted
On Saturday, Jan. 28, four local high school students competed in the 75th annual American Legion Oratorical Contest. The students all gave speeches during the competition. Logan Jackonis, a junior at Poolesville high school, placed first with his speech ìKeeping the Wolves at Bay.î Logan won $500 and will represent Damascus Post 171 at the Montgomery County contest later this month.
Students pose after the competition. (From left) Clarksburg High School Freshman Julia Fiedler, who placed fourth, Damascus High School Sophomore Mark Yang, who placed third, Damascus High School Senior Seth Lauer, who placed second, and Logan Jackonis.
Three Damascus and Clarksburg high schoolers placed in an oratorical competition held by the Damascus American Legion Post 171, Jan. 28, but it was a Poolesville junior that took the top prize.
Poolesville junior Logan Jackonis won first place for his speech, entitled “Keeping the Wolves at Bay,” earning himself a gold medal and a prize of $500. His finish earned a spot in the Southern Maryland district competition where he also placed first Feb. 18.
“I thought he was imaginative and creative,” said George Bolling, a member of Post 171.
Damascus High School senior Seth Lauer won the second place silver medal, garnering a $250 check, while Damascus High sophomore Yuechen “Mark” Yang was the third place bronze medal winner of a $150 check. Clarksburg High School freshman Julia Fiedler was the fourth place winner and won $50, curtosey of an anonymous donor in the audience.
The competitors were tasked with preparing an eight to 10 minute speech pretaining to any aspect regarding the U.S. Constitution. The competitors who placed gave up to five different speeches, all of which had to be recited by memory, said Bolling.
After winning the district oratorical contest, Jakonis will compete in the state competition, held at Towson University March 4. Each state winner across the country will compete in the American Legion’s national oratorical contest in Indianapolis, Ind., this Spring.
Copyright © 2012 Post-Newsweek Media, Inc./Gazette.Net