The SAR MAGAZINE is the official quarterly publication of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution published quarterly.
Issue link: http://sar.epubxp.com/i/79692
With President General Larry Magerkurth, left, and Larry McKinley, right, are participants, front row, from left: Abigail Kohake (Kentucky), Chassidy Menard (Louisiana), Hannah Stimson (Florida), Carley Lynn Stamps (Georgia), Anna J. Goodman (Kansas), Rebecca Catherine Kneebone (Maryland), and Rachel C. Thompson (Alabama). Back row, from left: Lydia Grace Richardson (Ohio), Phillip Paul Cozzi (Illinois), Bode Wayne McKay (Texas), Joshua Underwood (Virginia), Joshua Joseph Letwat (Indiana), Shinn LaMachio (Mississippi) and Ariel Elana Sobel (New York). During Annual Oration Contest Compelling leaders of tomorrow stirred the Arizona audience SAR Objectives Confirmed By Larry McKinley A rizona provided an excellent backdrop for the orations of 14 high school sophomores, juniors and seniors presented to Compatriots and guests. Each competitor represented a state society's participation in the SAR Rumbaugh Oration Contest. Since 1949, the youth of this nation have been inspired, and our historical education system has been supported by Compatriots across the country, encouraging high school students to conduct research and report on a person, place, battle or document that contributed to our Revolutionary War period success as a nation. One key to their convincing speeches is delivering the historical content with what meaning this historical activity has for us today. While participating in the contest as an orator may be daunting to some, participation in the contest as a judge is hailed as one of the "hardest jobs at Congress." The orators moved the audience to standing ovations during each preliminary session, as well as the finals on Sunday night. These contestants can be proud of their performances and their excellent communication skills—they are clearly future American leaders! Scholarship and Knowledge A leader learns communication through practice, and the Rumbaugh Oration contestants persuaded the audience on the topic of their choice. The students riveted the audience with stories of heroes and important philosophical points of view. They challenged the listeners to link these stories and points of view with the American Revolution—a link many say is lost on the youth of today. These contestants worked hard on their research and presentation, practicing for hours before making their appearance in Phoenix. The SAR should reward that with a commensurate scholarship. With hundreds of youth contests competing for students' time, the SAR Rumbaugh Oration Contest needs to provide compelling reasons to capture a student's 6$5 0$*$=,1(