Annville-Cleona sophomore heads to national speaking competition

Amelia Summers, a sophomore at Annville Cleona High School, will be representing Pennsylvania in the 2023 American Legion Oratorical Contest after taking her speech from the school's competition to the states.

On March 11, Summers won the 2023 Pennsylvania American Legion Oratorical Contest.

Summers wrote and gave a 8 to 10-minute speech on the United States Constitution, as well wrote four shorter speeches on four previously selected amendments and gave one of them the day of the competition.

She wrote her speech about how the constitution empowers young people through voting, protests and protects them against authoritarianism.

"The foundation of America was really built off of the progress made by young people," she said. "They've done so much for our country from the start to currently."

Her shorter speech was on the 16th amendment, the power the constitution gives Congress to tax income.

Last year, Summers placed second at the state competition.

Before joining the schools speech and debate club last year, Summers had never given a speech. She was originally inspired by her father who has to utilize public speaking for work.

Summers competed against two other students at the state level after going through her school, county, district and inter-district competitions throughout the year. She was uncontested during the district and county competition.

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Along with hours of research, writing and practice, she said her win was cultivated by a supportive environment, both in and out of school. She's had people to lean on and practice her speeches to whenever she needs, as well as the Annville Legion, who have helped and encouraged her along her journey.

"It really makes such a difference I think, being in an environment like this," she said. "Where I have a lot of people supporting me, especially my family and teachers. It really makes a big difference."

For winning, Summers was awarded a $7,500 scholarship and the opportunity to represent Pennsylvania in the national competition held on April 21-23 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Over 50 students from across the U.S., its territories and overseas, will compete in a tournament where by Sunday, only three will remain.

First-, second- and third-place winners will all receive scholarships over $20,000.

All students who participate in nationals receive an additional $2,000 in scholarships. Those who advance past the first round receive another $2,000.

In the first round, Summers will face off against students from Utah, Georgia, Arizona, Rhode Island and South Carolina.

While there are a few smalls alterations that Summers intends to make to her speech, most of it has remained unchanged since December, and it will be the speech she delivers during the national competition.

In preparation for the competition, Summers will continue to practice her speeches, keeping the words in her mind.

"I know I know them," She said, "but it's just, to not let that falter."

Daniel Larlham Jr. is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at DLarlham@LDNews.com or on Twitter @djlarlham

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Annville-Cleona student wins state speaking contest, heads to national