The Joseph S. Rumbaugh
Historical Oration Contest
The Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest is a nationally sponsored contest designed to give high school students (9th through 12th grades) an opportunity to explore the influence of the Revolutionary War period on present day America.
Youth Oration Medal
Fairfax Resolves proudly sponsors this speech contest to provide students an opportunity to present a persuasive speech which deals with an event, personality or document pertaining to the Revolutionary War and show a relationship with America today. The contest is open to all eligible students attending public, private, home, or parochial school in our local area.
Teachers and administrators at local high schools have maintained a commitment to developing the speaking skills of our nation’s youth by encouraging students to participate in this national contest at one of several local SAR chapters. Fairfax Resolves recognizes the importance of speaking skills, and is willing to work with any student, teacher, or school interested in participating in this program.
Winners of the Fairfax Resolves Chapter contest are awarded $150, receive the Joseph Warren Medal, and are then eligible to compete at the State level competition where college scholarship funds are awarded. Winners of the Virginia Society contest are then eligible to compete at the National Contest, which is held at the SAR Annual Congress. The Annual Congress is held at a different location throughout the country, and winners of the State Oration Contest attend the Congress, expenses paid, to compete for additional college scholarships.
Students interested in participating in the orations contest should review the complete contest rules on the National web site and contact the President of the Fairfax Resolves Chapter.
Students participating in the Rumbaugh Oration Contest can adjust their submission and participate in the Knight Essay Contest as well. The opportunity to double the scholarship dollars could be well worth the effort! Both contests (essay and oration) are supported by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
2015 Award Winner
Virginia Sun
President Bill Price presents Virginia with a medal and certificate as the 2015 oration winner. The chapter continues to support the national oration endowment fund and made a contribution in Virginia's name. President Price also presents a framed endowment fund, Joseph Warren medal in honor of Virginia's oration.
Virginia Sun, a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia, won our Chapter competition on January 29, 2015. Three weeks later, Virginia placed 3rd at the Virginia Society 2015 Annual Meeting in Richmond, Virginia. Congratulations, Virginia!
Compatriot Bill Price presents the Rumbaugh Orations Medal, Certificate of Appreciation, and 1st Place prize money to Virginia Sun at the end of the Chapter competition.