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Kish Wins at State Level, Heads to National Legion Oratorical Contest

Guilford High School (GHS) senior Mariam Kish has won her third American Legion oratorical competition; she is now the frontrunner for the American Legion Department of Connecticut and will begin competing on Friday, April 5 in the American Legion National Oratorical Contest held in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Kish has won the Post 48 of Guilford, District 2 of Connecticut, and Department of Connecticut oratorical contests to reach this point. The winner of the national contest will receive a $18,000 scholarship; the second- and third-place winners receive a $16,000 and $14,000 award, respectively. All participants will receive $1,500 for just competing.

In the contest, each contestant gives two speeches on the U.S. Constitution. One is an 8- to 10-minute speech on any aspect of the U.S. Constitution, the other is a three- to five-minute speech on one of four pre-assigned topics of the first 10 amendments; contestants won’t know which topic until the contest.

Local American Legion representatives

“Mariam Kish, you have caused great honor and satisfaction, beyond yourself, to the State of Connecticut, the Town of Guilford, Guilford Post 48, and your GHS,” said American Legion Guilford Post 48 Past Commander Ed Manzi. “Congratulations Mariam Kish and GHS, specifically Principal Richard Misenti and Social Studies Department Chair Ralph Russo.”