PHS' Zimmerer third in American Legion oratorical contest

Students from Flathead, Columbia Falls and Polson went 1-2-3 at the District #4 American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Contest and will advance to the department level in Belgrade on Saturday, March 9. The district contest was held in Polson at the Masonic Hall last Saturday, Feb. 23.

Sierra Dilworth, a senior from Flathead High school in Kalispell, received a $150 scholarship with her prepared oration titled “As It Could Be.” Second place and a $75 scholarship went to Columbia Falls sophomore Chloe Coberley for her prepared oration titled “Second Amendment — More Than Just Men With Guns.”

Landin Zimmerer, a Polson High School sophomore, earned third place and a $50 scholarship for his prepared oration titled “The Importance Of The Constitution.”

The assigned topic this round was Amendment 21, which stated:

— The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

— The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

— This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

Oratorical Scholarship contestants were judged on their knowledge of the Constitution and how they presented their oration.

Each contestant also received bronze, silver or gold District Oratorical medals, and a Certificates of Distinction. The family of the winner was also given $100 from the District to help in the costs of accompanying their student to the Department contest.

All District winners who appear for the Department preliminary pool on the morning of March 9 receives a $175 award. Each preliminary pool will send two contestants to the Department finals that afternoon. The pool first-place winner receives a $285 award, and second place receives $175. Department awards are $1,500 for first place; $750 for second; $450 for third; and $400 for fourth.

The Department-level winner competes at the National Contest in Indianapolis, Ind. The awards at National include $1,500 for competing in the first round, plus another $1,500 if you reach the second round. Pass the second round into the finals and you are competing for $18,000, $16,000 or $14,000 for placing first, second or third in the nation, respectively.

American Legion District 4 Commander Glen Sharbono offers a “thank you” to all the judges, timekeepers, tabulators and ushers that helped with the District event.