American Legion Post 202 of Newtown is set to hold an Oratorical Contest at Newtown High School, and all students in ninth to twelfth grade are eligible.

This is the third year American Legion Post 202 is holding the contest, which will be held Thursday, January 27 at 5 pm.

There are cash prizes at every level of competition: post, district, state, and national. Following the local post outcomes, the district competition is Saturday, February 19.

Seven Connecticut district winners will compete for the state title on March 5. The Connecticut state winners receive the following cash awards: $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third to seventh place.

More information about the contest is available online at legion.org/oratorical.

Students who want to hone their presentation skills in a nationally recognized competition would do well with this contest. Students who are interested in pursuing a business career, US government, law, military, or any other profession should participate in this contest as it holds notable prestige.

The Connecticut state champion will compete at the national level in Indianapolis in the spring. Scholarships will be awarded at the national level. The first place prize is $25,000.

Typically, this competition is open to students living near their local post; however, this year it is being opened to any high school student regardless of their hometown or school.

This competition has been advertised throughout the school since December.

Students and parents can e-mail AmericanLegionNewtown@gmail.com, call 203-577-9568, or e-mail Christine Calabrese at christinemcalabrese@gmail.com, to participate.