The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed this program on the NASSP National Advisory List of Contests and Activities for 2009-2010.   NASSP Student Contests and Activities Page

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.

• 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 preliminary rounds of the contest are held by Chapters and/or State Societies of the Sons of the American Revolution to select one winner from each participating state.  In regions (SAR Districts) where no State Society sponsors an entrant, an SAR District entry is permitted.  Prizes may be awarded to winners of Chapter and State Society (or District) competitions.

The National Society competition between State Society winners is held during the NSSAR's National Congress in June/July.

For further information about the contest, do one of the following

• Call, write, or Email the contact in a nearby Chapter or State Society
• Email to NSSAR National Chairman at
• Write -- making sure to enclose a number 10, business size, self-addressed envelope -- to the
  
  Chairman of the Rumbaugh Oration Contest
  c/o NSSAR Headquarters
  1000 South Fourth Street
  Louisville, KY 40203-3208