RUMBAUGH ORATION CONTEST
The annual Tennessee Valley Chapter Rumbaugh Oration Contest is held at the Hilton Hotel in Huntsville during the chapter’s November luncheon meeting. For the 2003-2004 contest there were two candidates competing.
The winner was Mr. Jesse Bastin a senior at Hazel Green High School. The runner-up was Miss Rachel Daugherty of Madison County High School.
Mr. Bastin’s oration speech titled “Freedom is not Free” (click on the title to open Jesse's speech) addressed the price that the United States has had to pay for the freedom that Americans have enjoyed in the past and are doing so today.
Miss Daugherty’s speech, “The Risks We Take to Defend Our Freedom” dealt with how Americans, starting with those who signed the Declaration of Independence, continually risk life and safety to insure our freedom.
For his outstanding performance Mr. Bastin received a monetary award, a certificate and the opportunity to represent the Tennessee Valley Chapter in the State Oration Contest in Tuscaloosa on February 21, 2004. Miss Daugherty received a monetary award and a certificate.
The student sponsors were Mrs. Anita Hutchison of Hazel Green High School and Ms. Peggy Neal of Madison County High School.
Compatriot Jim Alexander is the Oration Contest Chairman. The timekeeper was Compatriot Mark Alexander, and the judges were Compatriots Hoyt Smith, Jim Maples and Ernie Ritch.
Shown on the left below President Alexander congratulates the winner, Mr. Jesse Bastin. On the right are Mr. Bastin and Ms. Daugherty.
