The contest will be held in preliminary round(s) by state
societies and/or chapters of the Sons of the American Revolution to select one
winner from each participating state. In districts where no state society
sponsors an entrant, a district entry is permitted. Each participating
state society or district should provide information regarding the contest to
senior high school, parochial, private and home-schooled speech and/or history
teachers and principals or counselors as early as possible.
The contest is open to all students of the freshman, sophomore, junior
and senior classes (Grades 9 - 12) in the public, parochial, private and home schools within the
jurisdiction of the sponsoring state society or district.
The oration must be original of not less than five minutes
or more than six minutes. The subject shall deal with an event, personality,
or document pertaining to the Revolutionary War and show a relationship to America
today. The oration must be essentially the same as the submitted manuscript.
Notes and props (including military uniforms) may not be used in the presentation.
The state society or district establishes the date and deadlines
for its contest allowing adequate time to submit its winner as an entrant in the
national competition. (For 2009 the deadline is June 12th, 2009)
Form A & B (National) must be received by the National Chairman by the
deadline.
Before the chapter winner competes in the state contest, a
copy of the oration, a photograph and biographical sketch of the entrant, and the
completed Form B should be mailed to the state
chairman following the chapter contest. Form A (State) will
be sent by the Chapter Chairman to the State Chairman.
At Congress the NSSAR will furnish awards and give recognition
to all orators who participate in the national preliminary and final contests.
Expenses involving lodging, meals, and transportation to, at,
and from the NSSAR Congress may be borne by the sponsoring state society or district.
Chaperon for the entrant may be provided by the state society or district.
During the presentation of orations at chapter, state-district,
or national contest, no applause is permitted until all orators have finished speaking
During the contest, no private videotaping or flash picture
taking will be allowed.
By action of the 1985 Congress, all judges in the Joseph S.
Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest must be members of the SAR. The judges
will select the winners by the following criteria: A. Composition; B.
Delivery; C. Significance; D. History. Time allocated for delivery is between 5 and
6 minutes. (A penalty is applied for going outside the time allocations.)
The contestants must agree that the interpretation of rules
and the decisions of the NSSAR and its judges shall govern without reservation.
The first place winner at the national level of the Joseph S.
Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest may not compete in its future competitions.
The first place National winner is expected to attend the
youth awards luncheon the day after the final competition.
The winner of the state or district contest may receive expenses toward their
trip to compete in the national contest. The state society or district
may give a cash award and/or an Olympic-size medal.
Contacts