VALENTINE, Neb. - VALENTINE, Neb. – A homeschool junior from Valentine is representing Nebraska in one of the nation’s top scholarship competitions for high school students. Ella Rose Brennemann has been named the state champion in the American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program and will compete against 49 other state-level winners in the national finals.

“Being able to compete at the national level is such an honor and something I never thought I would be able to do,” said Brennemann.

The annual contest, focused on the U.S. Constitution, is among the most competitive and generous scholarship programs in the country. More than $203,000 in scholarships are available. The national champion will receive $25,000, while second- and third-place winners earn $22,500 and $20,000. All state winners who compete in the first round receive a $2,000 scholarship, and those who advance to the semifinals receive an additional $1,500.

“I have definitely learned so much from this competition about the Constitution and constitutional amendments. We have to do a lot of research about current legislation and events, along with political news,” said Brennemann.

This year’s national competition will be held in Hillsdale, Michigan, and will test students' speaking and critical thinking skills. Each contestant must deliver an 8- to 10-minute prepared speech on a constitutional topic, followed by a 3- to 5-minute extemporaneous oration on a randomly assigned constitutional amendment — all without notes and in front of a panel of judges and a live audience.

The event schedule is as follows:

  • Quarterfinals: Saturday, May 17 at 8:15 a.m. Central – field narrows from 50 to 18
  • Semifinals: Saturday, May 17 at 1 p.m. Central – field narrows from 18 to 3
  • Finals: Sunday, May 18 at 9 a.m. Central – streamed live on the American Legion’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/americanlegionhq

Each year, more than 6,000 students nationwide begin competing at the local American Legion Post level. The program encourages high school students to strengthen their understanding of the U.S. Constitution and develop strong public speaking skills. The national organization provides transportation, lodging, and meals for all finalists traveling to Hillsdale.