With communication being one of the most important skills in the world today, Grant Remmen of Detroit Lakes is at the top of the state for the National American Legion Oratorical Contest.
Remmen, a Detroit Lakes High School junior, was one of 54 champions that gathered in Indianapolis on April 14 for the national contest. Speakers came from every state, the District of Columbia, and American Legion operations in Puerto Rico, Mexico, and France.
Remmen presented a 10-minute prepared speech on the Twelfth Amendment called "Electoral Turmoil and the Twelfth Amendment." He also did a shorter speech on the Eighth Amendment.
"It was a great experience," Remmen said. "It was great to hear the speeches from every state. I had a wonderful experience there and it's a wonderful American Legion program for youth."
Tom Frank of the local American Legion Post told Remmen about the American Legion Oratorical Contest. Remmen received first place at district and state levels and was sent to the national level.
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Remmen said his whole family was in Indianapolis for the contest. "It was great to have my family there," he said. Remmen is the son of Larry and Kellie Remmen of Detroit Lakes. His brother, Cole, also attended the contest.
Remmen is active in drama at Detroit Lakes High School, was in the fall play, and is in the spring musical, Pride and Prejudice.
Participants in the national contest give an 8 to 10 minute rehearsed presentation, without notes, and are randomly assigned a constitutional topic on which to speak for 3 to 5 minutes, all while in front of a live audience and the judges.
The 70th annual competition was held at Indianapolis University -- Perdue University in Indianapolis. Prizes for the top three speakers in the final round of the contest were scholarships for $18,000, $16,000, and $14,000.
This year's topics were the Second Amendment (well-regulated militia, right to bear arms), Eighth Amendment (excessive bail should not be required), 13th Amendment (end of slavery and involuntary servitude, right of Congress to enforce amendment), and the 26th Amendment (right to vote, right of Congress to enforce amendment).
Numerical places are not assigned at the national level, except for the top three places. Remmen received a $1,500 scholarship in Indianapolis. With his speech, he has earned a total of $3,050, most in scholarship money
