Scholarship and Americanism Programs
- American Legion Oratorical Contest
The American Legion Oratorical Contest is a constitutional speech contest that provides scholarship opportunities for high school orators. Post 237 teams with the other American Legion posts in Madison County to conduct the Madison County Oratorical Contest. The winner of the county contest can compete at the district, division, and national levels. Nationwide over $138,000 in scholarships are awarded each year.
Contestants deliver a prepared speech on some aspect of the U.S. Constitution followed by a shorter speech on a constitutional subject drawn randomly. Details on upcoming annual contests will be announced early in the year and made available to county high schools and JROTC staffs.
- Alabama Boys State
Alabama Boys State is a convention for outstanding young men who have completed their junior year of high school. The convention delegates are selected by their schools based upon their character, leadership and their work at school and the community. Boys State is a week-long program at the University of Alabama Tuscaloosa campus. Delegates develop leadership skills and civics knowledge by creating a mock government and proposing and passing legislative agendas.
Post 237 Chairs the Madison County Boys State effort. The post hosts an Orientation Dinner and provides bus transportation for the delegates to and from Tuscaloosa. We also host a departure breakfast for the boys. Additionally, the post often helps pay the Boys State registration for several boys. Each year the election of delegates will begin after the new year and the convention will take place soon after the school year ends. As current year details are finalized for publication all area high schools and JROTC staffs will have that information forwarded to them.
- Alabama Girls State
Alabama Girls State is a weeklong program held currently at the University of Alabama for outstanding young women that are juniors in high school and interested in how the government works. The number of girls from each school is determined based on the size of the junior class.
Once the girls are selected, the Auxiliary hosts a “Coke” party to give the girls information on what to expect, what to take, and we try to have previous attendees talk about what they did. The girls are assigned to a “city” and “county” and then run for offices during the week. There are many speakers and social activities during the week. Post 237 and Post 176 team up to sponsor girls from Madison County schools. We usually pay the registration fees for 12 girls and provide funding for campaign material. Two girls from the Girls State class go to Girls National in Washington DC.
- Samsung Scholarship
Worldwide electronics leader Samsung endowed a scholarship fud of $5 million to be administered by The American Legion in 1996. Meant to show appreciation for U.S. veterans who came to Korea’s aid during its struggle against communist forces in the Korean War, the Samsung American Legion Scholarship Program established a series of scholarships derived from interest and other income from the principal amount. To date, the Samsung American Legion Scholarship has awarded more than $5.5 million to approximately 2,069 applicants.
Samsung scholarships may be used for undergraduate studies and applied toward tuition, books, fees, and room and board. Winners ae selected according to academic record, involvement in school and community service.
- Ten National Scholars receive $10,000 each (two from each region).
- Ten national Runners-Up receive $5,000 each (two from each region<.
- Remaining Department Finalists receive $1,250 each guaranteed.
Scholarship applications are restricted to high school juniors who attend the current session of either The American Legion Boys State or American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program and are a direct descendant – i.e. child, grandchild, great grandchild, etc. – or a legally adopted child of a wartime U. S.
Military veteran who served in active duty during at least one of the periods of war officially designated as eligibility dates for American Legion membership.
For additional information visit: https://www.legion.org/schlarsips/samsung
- JROTC/ROTC Cadet Awards Program
The American Legion is the nation’s largest war-time veteran’s Service Organization. The Legion is a strong supporter of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and Reserve Officer Training Corps ROTC) programs across the country. The Legion s committed to mentoring and sponsoring programs for the youth in our communities, promoting patriotism and strong national security, and advocating for our service members and veterans.
As an outreach of our Americanism program, we award the Military Excellence and Scholastic Excellence Awards to outstanding cadets who are selected by their JROTC/ROTC cadres.
These rewards are presented to cadets who demonstrate leadership, character, citizenship and who are involved in their school and community.
SCHOLASTIC EXCELLENCE MILITARY EXCELLENCE