OXFORD – The Chenango County level of the American Legion’s National High School Oratorical Contest was held on Saturday at the Oxford Academy auditorium. The event was co-chaired by Laurel Alksnis, Norwich Post #189 and Patricia Marso, Oxford Fort Hill Post # 376 Past Commander, and Chairman of the Children & Youth Committee.

The contestants, both high school juniors, were Katie Bush and Hollie Niles. Katie is the daughter of Kevin and Debbie Bush, of Dryden and goes to Otselic Valley High School. Hollie is the daughter of Ann and Carl Niles of Nineveh and attends Bainbridge-Guilford High School.

The prepared oration was required to be a memorized speech, 8 to 10 minutes in length, on some aspect of the Constitution of the United States, with emphasis on the duties and obligations of a citizen to our government. Appropriate business attire is also a requirement. Katie wrote her speech about Civil Rights, and Hollie’s was about the Freedom of Speech.

When the decisions were in, it was determined that Katie Bush was the first runner-up, winning $40, and Hollie Niles was the first place winner of $60. The judges were Adam Spence, an attorney from Roger Monaco’s office in Oxford; Roberta Knoll, president of the Oxford American Legion Auxiliary Post #376; and Kathy Anderson, Oxford Academy 9th grade English teacher.