American Legion Post 9 invites local high school students to compete for scholarships by demonstrating their knowledge and appreciation of the United States Constitution.

This month, all across America high school students will be competing in the American Legion’s High School Oratorical Scholarship Program. And Beaufort is no exception.

Participating students will gather at Beaufort Academy at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 to present an 8- to 10-minute oration on some phase on the U.S. Constitution, emphasizing the duties and obligations of a citizen to the U.S. government. Students will demonstrate their development of leadership, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and how they are prepared to accept the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship.

The public is welcome to attend but is asked to be in place before 11 a.m.

Post 9 will pay $100 to the winner to cover expenses as they move on to the next level in the competition engaging students from 10 counties in the southern part of the state.

On Feb. 22, the South Carolina finals will be held in Columbia where $4,000 in scholarships will be awarded. The state winner will move on to the national finals where all state participants will receive at least an additional $2,000 and the three top winners receive $20,000, $17,000 and $15,000, respectively.

To date, the American Legion has awarded more than $3 million to contestants in the High School Oratorical Scholarship Program. For more information, contact John Chubb, Post 9 Publicity, at 757-414-1491 or jechubb1@gmail.com.