Waterbury teen wins prize in American Legion Oratorical Contest

March 26, 2021 | By Waterbury Roundabout

Left to right: Vermont American Legion Commander Ron LaRose; Oratorical Chair Karlene DeVine; Second-place winner, Jeswin Antony and his parents, Antony Gnanapiragasam and Aero Antony. Courtesy photo.

Harwood Union High School sophomore Jeswin Antony of Waterbury recently placed second in the American Legion’s 64th Department of Vermont Oratorical Contest.

The competition was held March 6 at Christ the King School in Rutland where Antony was one of three finalists from local competitions who were on hand to be evaluated for their knowledge of the U. S. Constitution. Each did two speeches and was assessed on speaking talent, command of the subject matter, and presentation poise, according to the American Legion announcement. 

Sponsored by Waterbury Harry N. Cutting Post No. 59, Antony’s speech proposed a 28th Amendment in a talk entitled “We, the Cyberpatriots.”

The other contestants were Avery Carter from Manchester, Vt., sponsored by Castleton Crippen Fellows Post No. 50, who spoke the Marbury vs. Madison U.S. Supreme Court decision; and Michael Christesen of Hanover, N.H.,sponsored by the Norwich Lyman F. Pell Post No. 8, who addressed universal compulsory conscription. 

Following their prepared remarks, each contestant delivered a three-to-five-minute extemporaneous talk about the 22nd Amendment which specifies a two-term limit on the U.S. president. 

The contest results announcement noted that “In all cases, the contestants were extremely well-spoken, thoughtful, factual and poised, bringing credit to themselves, their families and their schools.”

First place went to Carter, a senior attending the Cate School near Santa Barbara, Calif. Legion Commander Ron LaRose presented her with a $1,000 prize for the state competition and a $5,000 award from the National American Legion organization in lieu of attending the national competition which was cancelled due to the pandemic. 

Second place came with a $750 award for Antony; Christesen, a sophomore at Sharon Academy, received $500 for third place.

In addition to their cash awards, the contestants received certificates signed by U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., commemorating their participation in the annual program during this unusual time of social distancing and limited social interaction.