Rebecca Redmond, a freshman at Cobleskill-Richmondville, was the winner of the Schoharie County American Legion’s Oratorical Scholarship contest Saturday.
Tina Wellman chaired the event, long run by the late Frank Masterson Sr., who died in 2022.
With her win, Rebecca advances directly to the Zone competition, which will be held in Lake George in February.
There will be no District competition this year because of a lack of participants—an indication, Ms. Wellman said, of just how grueling it is: Contestants must speak for 8-10 minutes on a subject of their choice on the United States with no notes, no props, and no podium.
Rebecca, who spoke on the responsibilities of citizenship, was the only high schooler brave enough to take the stage Saturday; seven others had dropped out in the days leading up to the contest.
Rebecca is the daughter of Justin and Jessika Redmond.
She’s active in local and regional theater and is already planning ahead for next year’s Oratory.
Saturday’s judges were Colleen Henry, mayor-elect for the Village of Schoharie; and David Houck, pastor for the Community Christian Church of Faith in Richmondville and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Middleburgh.
American Legion chaplain Richard Smith provided the invocation and benediction and Legionnaire Marc Newsome served as moderator, explaining the contest rules.
County Legion Commander Myron Kniskern led the Pledge of Allegiance; Madison Wellman, who won the local, district, and zone contests in 2013-`14 before placing third at the state level, was coalition coordinator.