Speech Contest
The Speech Contest invites all high school students in grades 9-12 to speak up for freedom. The theme is the First Amendment of the Constitution. Students may speak on any aspect of the theme.
Win a cash prize up to $600. The deadline is April 1, 2025.
Contest Guidelines
Theme: How Does the First Amendment Relate to Your Life Today?
Eligibility: Open to all 9th – 12th grade students.
Media: Youtube link.
Submission Deadline: April 1, 2025.
- Students submit an online video of themselves giving a 5 minute special occasion oratory.
- Six finalists will be chosen to present their speeches and compete for monetary prizes and the chance to speak at the Patriotic Service at a location TBD.
- Speech must be your own work (family or friends may critique your speech but cannot write it for you).
- Time limit is 5 minutes (penalty if speech is too short or too long).
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The speech should be positive and hopeful, expressing ideas on how to build America and patriotism, while discussing sound principles of freedom.
- Professional dress is requested for presentation.
- Decision of the judges is final.
- Finalist speaks at the Patriotic Service.
Cash prizes will be based on judging criteria.
Grade 9-12: Win up to $600.00
| SPEECH CONTEST RUBRIC |
|---|
| 5 pts Adherence to theme |
| 5 pts Organization and Structure |
| 5 pts Depth and clarity of reasoning |
| 5 pts Use of Language |
| 5 pts Use of supporting research and historical references |
| 5 pts Understanding of nation’s founding (principles of freedom) |
| 5 pts Relevance to today |
| Subtotal 35 possible |
| 5 pts Sincerity and Conviction |
| 5 pts Voice (diction, modulation, projection) |
| 5 pts Eye contact, body movement, suitability |
| 5 pts Memorization, flow of speech |
| 5 pts Impact, persuasivness |
| SubTotal 25 possible |
| Total 60 possible |
Are you a teacher?
Empower Future Leaders: Join the First Amendment Commemorative Contests and Ignite Patriotism in Your Scholars!
Contest Submission
Download The Educational Events Poster
Download PosterContest Winners
Provo – Utah
Take a look at our previous Speech Contest Winners
Students may choose to speak on the purposes and applications of the First Amendment that may include its history, adoption, and recognition of significant individuals involved. Or they may speak on any concept or specific freedom included in the First Amendment, such as the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to peacefully assemble, and freedom to petition the government. Students may also apply the First Amendment protections to current or historical situations and court cases.
- Go to http://www.youtube.com/.
- In the upper right hand corner of the home page click on “sign in”.
- If you have a google account you can login with that and go to the next step. If you don’t. have a google login then click on “sign up for YouTube” and then fill out the necessary info.
- Once you’re logged in click on the link at the top of the screen that says “upload”.
- Click on the button that says “video upload” and then upload your video.
- Make sure to fill out the Title and Description fields appropriately.
- In the privacy section be sure to check the “Public” option.
- Click on the save button at the bottom of the screen.
- You may have to wait a while for your video to upload, after your video is done precessing go to your published video page.
- Copy the url link and paste it in the filed on the submission form.
Do you think the freedoms identified in the First Amendment would already be protected in a democracy where citizens have a role in shaping the government?
Was it necessary to establish these rights in an official document?
The First Amendment does not permit people to do anything they want to do. How and why are the liberties and rights of people not unlimited? In what kinds of situations do you think it is fair and reasonable to limit freedom of expressions?
Are the First Amendment freedoms among the “self-evident” …Are the First Amendment freedoms among the “self-evident” and “unalienable rights” referred to in the Declaration of Independence?
What is the relationship of the Declaration of Independence to the Bill of Rights?
What do you think about Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis’ statement that the founding generation “believed that freedom to think as you will and to speak as you think are means indispensable to the discovery and spread of political truth; that without free speech and assembly discussion would be futile; that with them, discussion affords ordinarily adequate protection against the dissemination of noxious doctrine; that the greatest menace to freedom is an inert people; that public discussion is a political duty; and that this should be a fundamental principle of the American government.”?