Joseph S. Rumbaugh High School Historical Oration Contest

The Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest is open to all students attending 9th through 12th grades in public, parochial or private schools; or home-school students studying at the same grade levels. The preliminary rounds of the contest begin at your local New Jersey Society SAR Chapter level; students have the opportunity to advance to the state or national levels, where scholarships and cash prizes are awarded. We intend that the contest will continue to expand on all levels and bring the voices of our young citizens to greater light across our nation.

Participants must write an original oration of not less than five minutes or more than six minutes. The oration must be delivered from memory and without the use of notes or any kind of props. The subject of the oration shall deal with an event, a personality, or a document about the Revolutionary War with a mention of our nation’s 250th-anniversary celebration. Each oration must explain its relevance to America today. Evidence of historical research and creative presentation is also important. The oration will be judged based on its composition, delivery, significance, historical accuracy, and pertinence to our 250th anniversary.

The NJSSAR winner of the Joseph S. Rumbaugh HS Historical Oration Contest will receive a $600 cash prize and a certificate. NJSSAR winners will also be submitted to the National Committee to compete for one of three cash/scholarship awards. The National First Place Winner receives $8,000; the 2nd Place Runner-up receives $5,000; and the 3rd Place Runner-up receives $3,000 cash prize. Each also receives an Olympic-sized medal. Three non-placing National finalists are each awarded $500 cash. All other non-finalist national contestants are awarded $200 cash.