Hart HS Freshman Wins American Legion Oratorical Contest

A Hart County High School freshman is the winner of the 2014 Hartwell American Legion Post 109 High School Oratorical Contest. 

The contest was held Saturday evening in Hartwell. 

Winning the competition is Zach Tellano, who beat out six other contestants from the Hart, Franklin and Stephens County area. 

Tellano is the son of Randy and Ruth Daniels of Hartwell. 

At the local Hart County event each contestant had to speak twice starting with a Prepared Oration of between eight and ten minutes on any aspect of the U.S. Constitution. All speeches had to be an original work written and delivered by the contestant. 

For their second presentation each spoke extemporaneously for between three and five minutes on one of four specific sections of our Constitution which had been previously assigned. 

In his speech, Tellano reviewed the importance of the Judicial Branch of the federal government as outlined in the U.S. Constitution. 

Tellano will no go on to compete this Saturday, February 8 in the Regional Competition in Jefferson. 

In addition Will Maxwell – the son of Brent and Holly Maxwell – earned 2^nd place and $ 150.00 for his presentations, while 3rd place and $ 100.00 was awarded to Daniel Gaines,  the son of Tim and Lara Gaines. 

 After the District event, winners at each succeeding level progress on to Area, State and National contests.  

Cash scholarship awards await them at each level culminating in a prize of $ 18,000 for the winner at the National contest in Indianapolis, Indiana in April. 

The American Legion National High School Oratorical Scholarship Program has been  operating for over 75 years.