Jonathan (Jay) Elliott, 1st Place District Level Winner & Johnsie Pilkington, Runner Up.

Each year the “American Legion” offers the opportunity for students grades 9-12 to compete for scholarships by participating and excelling in “The American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest”, which is “A Constitutional Speech Contest”.  William A. Kitchen, a past department commander of Missouri, is credited with the originating of the contest.  The first national contest were held in 1938.  The contest was developed primarily to instill a better knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States in high school students.  Other objectives include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship.  Another purpose of the program is to assist students in paying the high cost of a college education.  The participants compete locally, district, division and state wide before going to compete at the national level.  Through the encouragement of Greta Crayton of the “NC American Legion Children and Youth Committee”, Jonathan (Jay) Elliott entered the contest.

Jay is a Crucifer for the St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and is very active in the church.  He is the son of Pamela and John Tuohey of Linden and Jonathan Elliott of Fayetteville.  Jay represents his school, the Pine Forest Senior High School, where he is a junior.  After competing in the first two levels, he won the District level on Saturday, January 21st at the “Dunn American Legion Post #59″.  He will be competing in the Division level on February 11th.

 left to right – James Holder, District Chairman; Jonathan (Jay) Elliott, 1st Place District Level Winner; Terry Chatfield, Division Commander; & Johnsie Pilkington, Runner Up.