Cassidy Diamond, an Ocean City High School freshman, won the Constitutional Speech Contest sponsored by the American Legion at the Trenton War Memorial Building on March 21.
The title of her speech was “The Constitution: America’s Heirloom.” She was sponsored by Horvey-Miley American Legion Post 524 in Ocean City. Diamond won a $4,000 scholarship and will now advance to the National Finals Contest held in the headquarters city of The American Legion, Indianapolis, Ind. The finals are scheduled for April 10 to 12.
The New Jersey contest is broken down into five districts. Cassidy represented District 5 (Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem counties).
The contest is done in two phases. The first phase is an 8-10 minute speech on some aspect of the United States Constitution. Phase two is a 3-5 minute speech on one of five assigned topics.
Last year’s winner, Andrew Bambrick, a senior from Lenore Christian Homeschool, placed second winning a $2,500 scholarship. He was sponsored by Haddonfield Post 38, Camden County. The title of his speech was “Liberty Lost.”
Diamond now faces additional competition, which could reward her almost $20,000 in scholarship money if she wins the national contest.
— News release from the American Legion
