rumbaugh oratory

The Mecklenburg chapter, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR, invites all high school students (9th through 12th grades) interested in the American Revolution to participate in the Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest.

The contest is open to all students attending public, parochial, private or home school students in that same grade range. The preliminary rounds of the contest begin at the local level here in Charlotte. Students may potentially advance to the North Carolina state or national levels where scholarships and cash prizes are also awarded.

Each student’s five-to-six-minute speech (and accompanying manuscript) will be judged based upon its composition, delivery, significance, and historical accuracy and relevance.

Three cash awards are given at the national level: the National First Place Winner receives $5,000; the 2nd Place Runner-up receives $3,000; and the 3rd Place Runner-up receives $2,000 cash prize. Each also receives an Olympic-sized medal. All other finalists (4th through 6th Place runners-up) are awarded $400 and all other national contestants are awarded $200.

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.

Rumbaugh Oration Contest Entry Form

Rumbaugh Oration Information Brochure

The National Society competition between State Society winners is held during the NSSAR’s National Congress July 5 – 10, 2021, in Seattle, Washington.

Mecklenburg Chapter Deadline Date is February 15, 2021

Our Chapter Winning Entry Will Be Sent to the State by February 19, 2021

Each student’s five-to-six-minute speech (and accompanying manuscript) will be judged based upon its composition, delivery, significance, and historical accuracy and relevance.

$250 cash award for Mecklenburg chapter winner

$750 cash award for North Carolina state winner

Three cash awards are given at the national level: the National First Place Winner receives $5,000; the 2nd Place Runner-up receives $3,000; and the 3rd Place Runner-up receives $2,000 cash prize. Each also receives an Olympic-sized medal. All other finalists (4th through 6th Place runners-up) are awarded $400 and all other national contestants are awarded $200.

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.

Mecklenburg Chapter Rumbaugh Oration Submissions Contact:

Mr. Russ McCullough
[email protected]
9418 Errington
Mint Hill, NC 28227-0437
704-756-2277