The National Society of the 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 home schools, public, parochial, or private high school students in that same grade range. While the preliminary rounds of the contest begin at the local level, students may eventually advance to the state or national levels, eventually held in June during the annual SAR Congress.

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 scholarship awards are given: the National First Place Winner receives $6,000; the 2nd Place Runner-up receives $4,000; 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 $500 and all other national contestants are awarded $200.

For more information, click here to visit the SAR site.

In past years, competitors delivered their address in person at an evening January meeting of the George Mason Chapter of the Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution.  Those contestants and parents were guests of the Chapter for their meal.

This year, due to COVID-related restrictions, orations will be submitted to the competition as recorded speeches, to be judged in March 2021.

To apply to join the Oration Contest, contact Compatriot Thomas Kiess, Chairperson of the George Mason Chapter’s Rumbaugh Oration Contest.