An oratorical

contest conducted by the local American Legion Post 105 produced three

winners.

Post Commander

John Dufresne announced that David Ballard, a junior at Starr's Mill High

School, took first place, along with a check for $250 and a gold oratory

medal; Amber Hikes, a senior at Fayette County High School, went home

with a check for $150 and a silver medal, and Julia Wilson received a

check for $100 and a bronze medal. Also participating was Maria-Kristina

Stanley, a senior at Starr's Mill High School.

The national

office of the American Legion sets the contest each year along with its

parameters. Bona fide students enrolled in a public, parochial, military,

private or state accredited home school are eligible.

The topic this

year was "The United States Constitution" and the speech had

to be at least eight and no more than 10 minutes long. The entrant needed

to speak on some phase of the Constitution, giving emphasis to the attendant

duties and obligations of a citizen to the government.

Four topics

in addition were given each student in advance, and they had to be prepared

for a three- to five-minute speech on any one of the four topics.

Ballard competed

at the district level Feb. 9 at the American Legion Post House 51 in East

Point, where he placed second. He also presented his speech at Post 105's

regular meeting Feb. 11.

Serving as

judges were State Court Judge Fletcher Sams, County Commissioner Linda

Wells, library director Chris Snell, Jill Prouty and Carleton Williams.