The Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest

The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed this program on the NASSP National Advisory List of Contests and Activities for 2010-2011. NASSP Student Contests and Activities Page

The Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest is open to all students attending home schools, public, parochial, or private high schools who are in their freshman, sophomore, junior or senior (grades 9 through 12) year of study.

History of The Joseph S. Rumbaugh Oration Contest

In 1945 an Ohio SAR member, Douglass G. High, originated this creative exercise in a Cincinnati Senior High. Two years later the NSSAR assumed National sponsorship. Douglass G. High passed away in 1952. In 1953 the National Society attached his name to the contest title as a memorial. He was the first Chairman on the NSSAR Oration Committee, serving in this capacity for five years.

In honor of a Florida SAR member, this Oratorical event was renamed the Joseph S. Rumbaugh Oration Contest. For many years this Compatriot has shown an active interest in the welfare of youth and has been a creative promoter of this contest. The contest is designed to explore the influence of the Revolutionary war on present day America.

Purpose Of The National Contest

·      To bring American History to the high school student and focus on events of today.
 

·      To draw an intelligent relationship between the past and the present.
 

·      To clearly demonstrate freedom of opportunity as a basic right of our national heritage.
 

·      To place a positive emphasis on the plans of our founding fathers.

 

·      To emphasize justice under law in the free society.
 

·      To illustrate how the Revolutionary War influenced our freedom of expression.

 The oration must be original of not less than five minutes or more than six minutes. The subject shall deal with an event, personality, or document pertaining to the Revolutionary War and show a relationship to America today. The oration must be essentially the same as the submitted manuscript. Notes and props (including military uniforms) may not be used in the presentation.

The winner of the chapter contest will be expected to attend the State level contest on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at the OHSSAR Annual Conference, in Independence Ohio. The State Winner will be expected to attend the National Contest at the Marriott Hotel, Winston-Salem, NC, on Sunday, June 10, 2011.

 

The dead line to enter the Chapter contest with a copy of your oration is January 15th, 2011

AWARDS

NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS:

First Place…………………………………………...$3,000

Second Place………………………………………...$2,000

Third Place…………………………………………. $1,000

 

The above winners also receive an Olympic-size medal

All other finalists…………………………………… $300

All other national Contestants……….…...........…… $200

 

OHIO SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS:

                    First Place…………………………………………...$300

Second Place………………………………………...$200

Third Place…………………………………………. $100

                    All other contestants....................................................$25

 

NORTHEASTERN OHIO CHAPTER AWARDS:

                    First Place…………………………………………...$100

Second Place………………………………………...$50

Third Place…………………………………………. $25