The Joseph S. Rumbaugh
Historical Oration Contest
The Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest is a nationally sponsored contest designed to give high school students an opportunity to explore the influence of the Revolutionary War on present day America.
Youth Oration Medal
The Fairfax Resolves proudly sponsors this speech contest to provide students an opportunity to present a persuasive speech which deals with an event, personality or document pertaining to the Revolutionary War and show a relationship with America today. The contest is open to all 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students attending public, private, home, or parochial school.
Teachers and Administrators at one local high school, Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School, have maintained a commitment to developing the speaking skills of our nation’s youth by encouraging students to participate in this national contest at one of several local SAR chapters. Fairfax Resolves recognizes the importance of speaking skills, and is willing to work with any student, teacher, or school interested in participating in this program.
Winners of the Fairfax Resolves Chapter contest are awarded $50 and are then eligible to compete at the State level competition where college scholarship funds are awarded. Winners of the Virginia Society contest are then eligible to compete at the National Contest, which is held at the SAR Annual Congress. The Annual Congress is held at a different location throughout the country, and winners of the State Oration Contest attend the Congress, expenses paid, to compete for additional college scholarships.
Students interested in participating in the orations contest should review the complete contest rules on the National web site and contact the President of the Fairfax Resolves Chapter.
Students participating in the Oration Contest can adjust their submission and participate in the Essay Contest as well. The opportunity to double the scholarship dollars could be well worth the effort! Both contests, essay and oration, are supported by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
Award Winner
While the first meeting of 2011 was postponed due to Winter Weather, the one-week delay did not dampen the enthusiasm of the attendees. The Fairfax Resolves’ annual Rumbaugh Orations Contest was held on February 3 at Falcons Landing in Sterling. Three contestants from Mrs. Mary Lou Wentzel’s class at Bishop O’Connell High School presented orations demonstrating their understanding of Revolutionary War topics, and how those topics relate to today.
Our winner, Yvonne J. Bowser-Caballero, participated with eight other contestants at the State Contest in Richmond.
Thanks to Larry McKinley for coordinating the contestants, and working with Mrs. Wentzel’s class to provide this contest opportunity for the students!
Chapter President Darrin Schmidt stands with the 2011 oration contestants.
Darrin Schmidt presents the winner Yvonne Bowser-Caballero with a certificate and check.