Beresford student wins second-straight state American Legion oratory contest

DEADWOOD, S.D. — A Beresford student is set to represent South Dakota on the national stage after winning her second-straight title in the American Legion’s oratory contest.

Elena Andrews earned first place this past weekend in the South Dakota American Legion’s High School Oratorical Scholarship Contest, hosted by Deadwood High School.

Held since 1938, the contest has encouraged the nation’s high school students to study the U.S. Constitution and to hone their public speaking skills. During the competition, students were tasked with delivering a prepared oration on the U.S. Constitution ranging from eight to 10 minutes.

Then, they’d be given a new topic related to the Constitution and given five minutes of prep time to deliver a three to five minute speech.

Students who competed at the state level had to first win local and district contests to compete at the state level.

Andrews placed first, capping off a back-to-back title run, and was rewarded with a trophy and a $1,500 scholarship from the American Legion. Beresford High School will also be given a plaque to display in their school’s trophy case.

Next, Andrews will head to the American Legion’s national competition, to be held in Hillsdale, Michigan on May 17-19. Scholarship prizes at the national level are $25,000 for first place, $22,500 for second place and $20,000 for third place.