American Legion Department of South Carolina H.W. Dare Maness Oratorical Scholarship

South Carolina high schoolers compete in the H.W. Dare Maness High School Oratorical Scholarship Program, a Constitutional speech contest requiring both a prepared oration and an impromptu topic discussion. Students advance from local semifinal rounds to the statewide Department final, with scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,500 depending on placement — on top of separate scholarships for advancing to the national contest. It's open to any South Carolina high schooler, public, private, parochial, or home-schooled, with no Legion membership required.

Eligibility

Applying

Semifinal awards: $1,000 (1st), $500 (2nd). Department final awards: $2,500 (1st), $1,500 (2nd), $750 (3rd and 4th).