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caption:
Winner
The American Legion District #4 Oratorical Program winner Lucas Johnson, center, surrounded by American Legion representatives and family. From left: District #4 Commander Antonio “Tony” Rendon, Ellis Tech teacher Drew Mizak, Program Chairman Charles Crowley and Johnson with his parents. Courtesy photo.
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Participants, seated, from left: Connor Sebastian of Plainfield, Guinevere Weiker of Putnam High School, Owen Bland of The Woodstock Academy and contest winner Lucas Johnson of Ellis Tech. American Legion representatives standing, from left: Past District #4 Commander Ronald P. Coderre; Charles Crowley of Post #21, contest chairman; District #4 Commander Antonio “Tony” Rendon; contest moderator Everett G. Shepard III; and Department of Connecticut Commander Jeffrey DeClerck.
Lucas Johnson, a Griswold resident and Harvard H. Ellis Technical School student, who represented Post #21 of Danielson, won the recent American Legion District #4 High School Oratorical Scholarship Program’s ‘A Constitutional Speech Contest’.
Johnson, a senior studying electrical, was presented a $150 award. He now moves on to the Department of Connecticut competition scheduled for March 5 at the State Police Academy in Meriden, where he will compete with the six other District winners. The winner of the Department competition advances to the National contest in Indianapolis in April.
Each contestant delivered an oration on a topic of their choosing, between and eight and 10 minutes long, on an aspect of the U.S. Constitution. Following the initial presentation each contestant was asked to speak for three to five minutes on an assigned topic of the Constitution.
Johnson’s speech was titled, “Is Our Constitution Living or Dead?” Johnson, who won this contest in 2020 prior to the pandemic, impressed the panel of judges with his knowledge of the topic and his poise and speaking skills.
“District #4 is proud to have Lucas represent our area once again in the Department contest. He’s a fine young man who possesses maturity beyond his years. He’s a solid citizen with a great future,” said Charles Crowley, contest chairman and commander of Post #21.
Owen Bland, a junior at The Woodstock Academy, was the runner-up and received a $100 award. The other participants, Guinevere Weiker a junior at Putnam High School, and Connor Sebastian a senior at Plainfield High School, who each received a $75 award.
“All of the participants represented themselves and their schools very well with their presentations. They all demonstrated a great knowledge of the Constitution,” said Crowley.
Assisting Crowley was Everett G. Shepard III, Past Department commander and Past Department adjutant, who served as the program moderator. The panel of judges included Nelson King of Danielson, Susan Hatfield of Pomfret, Joseph McIlrath of Somers, Scott Pempek of Putnam and
Jennifer Hegedus of Danielson. District #4 Commander Antonio “Tony” Rendon and Department of Connecticut Commander Jeffrey DeClerck presented congratulatory remarks and were on hand for the award’s presentation. The top three finishers in the National Contest will be awarded college scholarships.
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