Sponsored
by the Northeastern Ohio Chapter #12 SAR
History of The Joseph S. Rumbaugh Oration Contest
In 1945 an Ohio SAR member, Douglass G. High, originated this creative exercise in a Cincinnati Senior High. Two years later the NSSAR assumed National sponsorship. Douglass G. High passed away in 1952. In 1953 the National Society attached his name to the contest title as a memorial. He was the first Chairman on the NSSAR Oration Committee, serving in this capacity for five years.
In honor of a Florida SAR member, this Oratorical event was renamed the Joseph S. Rumbaugh Oration Contest. For many years this Compatriot has shown an active interest in the welfare of youth and has been a creative promoter of this contest. The contest is designed to explore the influence of the Revolutionary war on present day America.
Purpose Of The National Contest
· To bring American History to the high school student and focus on events of today.
· To draw an intelligent relationship between the past and the present.
· To clearly demonstrate freedom of opportunity as a basic right of our national heritage.
· To place a positive emphasis on the plans of our founding fathers.
· To emphasize justice under law in the free society.
· To illustrate how the Revolutionary War influenced our freedom of expression.
The preliminary rounds of the contest are held by Chapters and State Societies of the Sons of the American Revolution to select one winner from each participating state. Prizes will be awarded to winners of Chapter and State Society. The National Society competition between State Society winners is held during the NSSAR's National Congress.
The Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical
Oration Contest
1. The contest is held in preliminary round(s) by state societies and chapters of the Sons of the American Revolution to select one winner.
2. The contest is open to all students of the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes (Grades 9 - 12) in the public, parochial, private and home schools within the jurisdiction of the sponsoring state society or district.
3. The oration must be original of not less than five minutes or more than six minutes. The subject shall deal with an event, personality, or document pertaining to the Revolutionary War and show a relationship to America today. The oration must be essentially the same as the submitted manuscript. Notes and props (including military uniforms) may not be used in the presentation.
4. To be considered for competition, entrants must submit their Oration by January 31, 2015.
5. At Congress the NSSAR will furnish awards and give recognition to all orators who participate in the national preliminary and final contests.
6. Expenses involving lodging, meals, and transportation to, at, and from the NSSAR Congress may be borne by the sponsoring state society or district.
7. During the contest, no private videotaping or flash picture taking will be allowed.
8. By action of the 1985 Congress, all judges in the Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest must be members of the SAR. The judges will select the winners by the following criteria: A. Composition; B. Delivery; C. Significance; D. History. Time allocated for delivery is between 5 and 6 minutes. (A penalty is applied for going outside the time allocations.)
9. The contestants must agree that the interpretation of rules and the decisions of the NSSAR and its judges shall govern without reservation.
10. The first place winner at the national level of the Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest may not compete in its future competitions.
11. The first place National winner is expected to attend the youth awards luncheon the day after the final competition.
NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS:
First Place ...$4,000 Second Place ..$2,000 Third Place $1,000
The above winners also receive an Olympic-size medal All other finalists $300 All other national Contestants $200
The winner of the state or district contest may receive expenses toward their trip to compete in the national contest.
First Place ..$300.00 Second Place . $200.00 Third Place $100.00
First Place .$100.00 Second Place .$50.00
Third Place ...$2500