Kendall students compete in American Legion oratorical contest

Provided photos: Pictured front row, from left: Carol D’Agostino, Toby Passer, Lily Lavacca, Layne Pearson, Katie Driesel and Charles Eberhardt. Back row: Christine Hunt, John Kenney, Sharon Bennett, Donna McGee and Joe Sidonio. Passer finished in first, Lavacca was second and Pearson was third.

Press Release, Kendall Central School

KENDALL – Students at Kendall Junior/Senior High School once again competed in the American Legion Oratorical Contest sponsored by the Social Studies Department.

The purpose of the contest is to provide high school students with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship. Students gave a prepared 8 to 10-minute oration on the United States Constitution. This year’s participants were Advanced Placement United States History students taught by Katie Driesel.

The local round of the contest was held at Kendall on Nov. 19. Students competed in front of a panel of American Legion judges in the JSHS Auditorium. These students included Taigan Guerrero, Lily Lavacca, Toby Passer, Layne Pearson, Lauren Pilon and Emma Quintern. Toby took first place in the competition, Lily took second place and Layne placed third.

The adults were impressed with the students’ speeches. American Legion member Chuck Eberhardt told students, “I am confident in your class because you know the Constitution. We thank you in advance for the decisions and actions you will make in the future based on this knowledge.”

The first and second place winners advance to the Orleans County Competition on Dec. 11 at Kendall.

This contest was an excellent opportunity for Kendall students to study the Constitution and develop public speaking skills which are essential to future success.

Participants in the contest include, front row: Toby Passer, Lauren Pilon, Lily Lavacca, Emma Quintern, Taigan Guerrero and Layne Pearson. Middle row, from left, Carol D’Agostino, Christine Hunt, Sharon Bennett, Charles Eberhardt and Katie Driesel. Back row, from left, Scott Galliford, Alfred Pulcino III, John Kenney, Terry Probst, Donna McGee, Maxine Shening and Joe Sidonio.